The boys age 10 to 14 who made it through the series of try outs in the past few months have started practicing now under NMIFA head coach Nick Swaim, assistant coach, Brenda Schultz and manager Peter Coleman.
At the San Antonio Elementary School Field yesterday, 20 boys looked so determined to get what they have yet to know about winning a football game.
Although it’s going to be the NMI’s second appearance in the EAFF-sanctioned event that is held every other year, it will be the first time for NMI as an active member to compete in the festival.
The NMI participated only as guests in the last festival held two years ago in Beijing.
The other members of the EAFF are Guam, Korean Republic, Taipei, Mongolia, Japan, Macau, Hongkong, People’s Republic of China, and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
The members of NMI Under 14 national team are Devin Atalig, 14; Hunter Thorpe, 14; Caleb Arriola, 13; Jathan Camacho, 13; Tarance Lane, 13; Crosby Schultz, 13; Bo Barry, 12; Stacey Escueta, 12; Jake Lee, 12; Clay McCullough-Stearns, 12; Christian Miller, 12; Josiah Orlando, 12; Angelo Jones, 11; Andrew Johnson, 11; Keoni Borja, 11; Mickey Coleman, 10; Misaki Cramer, 10; Masami Hiral, 10; Hunter Jewell, 10 and Jehn Joyner, 10.
They will be leaving for Guam in July 4 for the regulation play that will start on July 6 and will continue until July 10.
As an active member of EAFF with teams now competing in its events, NMI has taken one step forward to be a member of Asian Football Confederation and soon, of the Federation of International Football Association.
