Up Pohnpei II
Donation protected
Who Are We?
Pohnpei Soccer Association (PSA) is responsible for growing and governing the sport of football in the Micronesian state of Pohnpei and supporting the Federated States of Micronesia Football Association.
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a group of small islands in the Pacific Ocean with a population of just over 100,000 people, divided into 4 states with Pohnpei being the most populous and home to the capital Palikir.
Here in Micronesia, young people can often struggle for entertainment and aspiration leading to global highs of both obesity and suicide rates among 15-24 year olds, we believe the PSA can play a leading role in engaging young people in sport and help make a positive difference.
Currently the PSA oversees the Pohnpei Premier League consisting of 5 teams, as well as running the Pohnpei State team, currently building towards the 2018 Micronesian Games in Yap. Looking forward we want to help give the opportunity for more young people to play and help build the future of Micronesian football.
However, as a football association we have been awaiting acceptance to join the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA for several years, and because of this we are forced to run without any government or international funding and rely on the hard work of a few volunteers to keep the game running.
Up Pohnpei?
Back in 2007, two English football coaches, Paul Watson and Matt Conrad travelled to Micronesia following their dream of becoming international football managers. This led them to Pohnpei, a team who at the time were labelled “the worst national football team in the world”.
After months of hard work, challenging conditions and little to no money, they had managed to start the island's first adult football league, pick a Pohnpei State team and organise a tour to Guam to record their first ever international victory!
Paul released the book 'Up Pohnpei ' about his experiences and Matt is working on a documentary called 'The Soccermen '.
What Next?
We have managed to secure the assistance of English football coach Chris Smith who has volunteered to travel to Pohnpei this year to perform the role of Technical Director, overseeing the Pohnpei State team, developing youth football and performing coach education, amongst other challenges.
Chris’ previous coaching roles include developing football in both Vietnam and India for Arsenal and PSG’s international programs, as well as working with Nottingham Forest and Lincoln City academies back in England.
To help make the most of this opportunity and make Chris’ time with us a success, we are looking for funds to help support our goals, this will help with everything from making his time on the island as comfortable as possible regarding accommodation and travel, in addition to providing valuable resources and equipment to help as many people as possible experience, enjoy and progress in football.
These funds will enable us to…
- Increase awareness, access and enjoyment of football among young people by working with local schools and clubs, working towards regular youth football festivals and tournaments.
- Create a meaningful pathway of progression for players of all ages and abilities to follow throughout their involvement in football.
- Provide training and support to the Pohnpei State team in preparation for a competitive 2018 Micronesian Games as well as all Pohnpei Premier League teams.
- Recruit local volunteers to support youth football events and perform AFC approved coach education and laws of the game courses, creating our next generation of Micronesian coaches and referees.
- Help assist the application process to AFC/FIFA by implementing transparent administration for competitions, clubs, players and volunteers.
Thank You!
Show your support - #UpPohnpei
Pohnpei Soccer Association
https://www.facebook.com/PohnpeiSoccerAssociation
Up Pohnpei
https://twitter.com/paul_c_watson
https://www.facebook.com/UpPohnpei
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Up-Pohnpei-ultimate-football-underdogs/dp/1846685028
The Soccermen Documentary
http://www.thesoccermen.com
https://www.facebook.com/thesoccermen
https://twitter.com/thesoccermen
Chris Smith
http://www.coachedbychris.com
https://twitter.com/coachedbychris
Pohnpei Soccer Association (PSA) is responsible for growing and governing the sport of football in the Micronesian state of Pohnpei and supporting the Federated States of Micronesia Football Association.
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a group of small islands in the Pacific Ocean with a population of just over 100,000 people, divided into 4 states with Pohnpei being the most populous and home to the capital Palikir.
Here in Micronesia, young people can often struggle for entertainment and aspiration leading to global highs of both obesity and suicide rates among 15-24 year olds, we believe the PSA can play a leading role in engaging young people in sport and help make a positive difference.
Currently the PSA oversees the Pohnpei Premier League consisting of 5 teams, as well as running the Pohnpei State team, currently building towards the 2018 Micronesian Games in Yap. Looking forward we want to help give the opportunity for more young people to play and help build the future of Micronesian football.
However, as a football association we have been awaiting acceptance to join the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA for several years, and because of this we are forced to run without any government or international funding and rely on the hard work of a few volunteers to keep the game running.
Up Pohnpei?
Back in 2007, two English football coaches, Paul Watson and Matt Conrad travelled to Micronesia following their dream of becoming international football managers. This led them to Pohnpei, a team who at the time were labelled “the worst national football team in the world”.
After months of hard work, challenging conditions and little to no money, they had managed to start the island's first adult football league, pick a Pohnpei State team and organise a tour to Guam to record their first ever international victory!
Paul released the book 'Up Pohnpei ' about his experiences and Matt is working on a documentary called 'The Soccermen '.
What Next?
We have managed to secure the assistance of English football coach Chris Smith who has volunteered to travel to Pohnpei this year to perform the role of Technical Director, overseeing the Pohnpei State team, developing youth football and performing coach education, amongst other challenges.
Chris’ previous coaching roles include developing football in both Vietnam and India for Arsenal and PSG’s international programs, as well as working with Nottingham Forest and Lincoln City academies back in England.
To help make the most of this opportunity and make Chris’ time with us a success, we are looking for funds to help support our goals, this will help with everything from making his time on the island as comfortable as possible regarding accommodation and travel, in addition to providing valuable resources and equipment to help as many people as possible experience, enjoy and progress in football.
These funds will enable us to…
- Increase awareness, access and enjoyment of football among young people by working with local schools and clubs, working towards regular youth football festivals and tournaments.
- Create a meaningful pathway of progression for players of all ages and abilities to follow throughout their involvement in football.
- Provide training and support to the Pohnpei State team in preparation for a competitive 2018 Micronesian Games as well as all Pohnpei Premier League teams.
- Recruit local volunteers to support youth football events and perform AFC approved coach education and laws of the game courses, creating our next generation of Micronesian coaches and referees.
- Help assist the application process to AFC/FIFA by implementing transparent administration for competitions, clubs, players and volunteers.
Thank You!
Show your support - #UpPohnpei
Pohnpei Soccer Association
https://www.facebook.com/PohnpeiSoccerAssociation
Up Pohnpei
https://twitter.com/paul_c_watson
https://www.facebook.com/UpPohnpei
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Up-Pohnpei-ultimate-football-underdogs/dp/1846685028
The Soccermen Documentary
http://www.thesoccermen.com
https://www.facebook.com/thesoccermen
https://twitter.com/thesoccermen
Chris Smith
http://www.coachedbychris.com
https://twitter.com/coachedbychris
Organizer
Pohnpei Soccer Association
Organizer
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