GFA, Pohnpei Soccer Association Kids Club plan collaborations

[January 27, 2026 – Harmon, Guam] From what started as a group of mothers whose young children wanted to play football, to the beginnings of a growing movement that expanded to about 300 children on eight teams competing in a school tournament, the Pohnpei Soccer Association Kids Club was realized for the greater community.

With the growth, there still is the potential to do even more, said Giulio Biddau, Vice President of the PSA Kids Club during a visit to the Guam Football Association and meeting with GFA President Valentino San Gil.

“Reaching out to organizations like Guam Football Association and the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association is fundamental to our program,” Biddau said. “With both organizations with experience on the ground and building successful grassroots programs, we aim to learn and expand what we can provide for our community, not only in Pohnpei, but also the other islands in the Federated States of Micronesia.

“We are in discussion to possibly send some of our grassroots coaches to coaching courses abroad to Guam or the NMI and have them learn about the basics of coaching and administration. We can also increase the number of coaches with the growing number of children wanting to play football,” Biddau added.

In the early stages of the program’s inception, Elizabeth Terk and Adele Robinson were two of the pioneers who helped create opportunities for their children to enjoy football, albeit simply with a ball and makeshift goals. At the peak of the program’s initial year, the organization saw as many as 91 children ages five years old to 14 years old interested in playing football in Pohnpei. A few years later, a school tournament was devised with eight competing teams. On average, each school team featured rosters of 30 or more players, Biddau said.

“The popularity of football continues to grow in our region and we are fully committed in assisting organizations, like the Pohnpei Soccer Association Kids Club in the FSM build their programs to afford their communities the opportunity to enjoy the sport,” said Valentino San Gil, GFA President. “As we have seen what the sport can do for our local community over the years, football truly is not just a sport on the pitch, but a vehicle for social change. These benefits are paramount to the tireless effort we have committed in building the sport in our community beginning at the grassroots level and now with the ability to help others.”

Biddau, originally from Italy, was inspired to help build a football program for children in Pohnpei after arriving in the island. He had grown up with football his whole life and saw the potential.

“Football is one of the few sports that doesn’t require much resources to start – all you need is a ball and anything to act as goal posts,” Biddau said. “Eventually, you’ll need better infrastructure and equipment as the game develops. With the local interest by the kids, the support of football associations in Guam and the NMI, and hopefully with increasing support from the government and others, we aim to create a better environment to grow the sport. From what I’ve seen, Micronesians would be successful in team sports like football, as familial support and knowing how to stand together to achieve a goal is already ingrained in their daily life.

“Also, it’s not just football we want to teach the children, but also other life skills, like better personal hygiene, better diet, and long-term thinking, among others. Football is a fun and perfect way for this,” Biddau added.

The next Guam Football Association Youth Coaching Certificate course is set for Mar. 13-15 with Coach Educator Manfred Preschern. To register for the course, visit https://form.jotform.com/GFAJotforms/YCC_March2026