Triple J Robbie Webber league to conclude Saturday with championships, Jamboree

[April 25, 2025 – Harmon, Guam] Top club teams in three divisions – U13 Astra, U16 Boys, and U17 Girls – will be fighting for their respective Triple J Auto Group Robbie Webber Youth League champions trophies Saturday, but for the National Academy U14 Boys team, victory came in achieving respectable results in its first-ever venture in the youth league in the higher U16 Division.

GFA National Academy U14 Boys Team’s David Benavente looks ahead for options during a regular season match of the Triple J Auto Group Robbie Webber Youth League U16 Division against Tumon FC Tigers at the Guam Football Association National Training Center in this file photo. In the team’s first entry into the league playing in a higher age division, the National Academy U14 Boys team finished with a 5-3-1 win-loss-draw record and will have an opportunity for a rematch against No. 3 NAPA Rovers FC Saturday during the league’s season-ending matches and Jamboree.

“The overall experience was amazing,” said David Benavente who played for the National Academy U14 Boys team. “Being able to start a bond, have a good level of chemistry with a new team at a higher level of play was always something to look forward to. Playing against the older boys had a lot of us determined to work harder and set the bar high for us.

“For our team to have the majority of players at the U13 age range to jump straight to the U16 field and division, we seemed to fit right in. The experience helped the players individually by changing our mindsets and as a team, knowing that all we need is to put in the work to compete at a higher level. We’re always looking for something to challenge us so we can improve individually and as a team,” Benavente added.

The U14 Boys National Academy team will have a rematch opportunity against No. 3 NAPA Rovers FC Saturday at 1 p.m. In the regular season, the Rovers narrowly defeated the Academy team 1-0 on Mar. 21.

“Overall, playing in the youth league’s U16 Division was a great tool to aid in the development of our U14 National Academy players,” said Ralph Awa, Head Coach of the National Academy U14 Boys team. “Weekly matches alone have been able to assist in providing a consistent environment to train with a purpose. Our players have challenged themselves competing with older, more physical teams, and have established a new level of performance. They learned how to stay organized as a team throughout the phases of play, stay composed through tough battles, and consistent through the duration of each match.”

The National Academy U14 Boys team finished with five wins, three losses and one draw record after nine weeks.

“Higher level competitive games will always promote individual and team development because the players will need to compete at higher standards and demands technically, tactically, physically and mentally,” said Philip Neiland, FIFA Talent Coach assigned to Guam. “It’s still too early to say, as this program only started two and a half months ago and true development is something you will see over time; but in the medium and long term, it should always meet the objectives of developing people and players as long as we are in the continuous process of talent identification, improving the quality and quantity of training, playing in high level competition, and ensuring a holistic supportive environment around the player.

“Aligning with the ethos of the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, we have collectively ignited a change to ensure the best train with the best and the best play against the best. According to the GFA ecosystem, it means the most competitive games for these potentially talented players and goalkeepers is for the GFA National Academy U14 Team to be playing against U16s to find the most competitive environment for them,” Neiland added.

Playing for the champions trophy in the U16 Boys division will be No. 1 Dededo SC Gold against Wings FC Red Saturday beginning at 11:45 a.m. Following the match, the champions trophy will be presented by GFA President Valentino San Gil. The division’s second place trophy will be presented by GFA Executive Committee member Kelley Barnhart.

During the regular season, Dededo SC Gold won 5-2 on Mar. 22. Against the National Academy U14 Boys team, Dededo won 4-1. Wings FC Red and the National Academy U14 Boys team drew 0-0.

Championship matches also will be played in the U17 Girls Division and U13 Astra Division Saturday. The league’s other competitive division, U13 Haya, will feature its championship match May 10.

In the U17 Girls Division, No. 1 Bank of Guam Strykers FC will take on No. 2 Tumon Typhoons FC for the division crown beginning at 10:30 a.m. Following the match, the champions trophy will be presented by GFA President Valentino San Gil. The division’s second place trophy will be presented by GFA Executive Committee member Kelley Barnhart.

During the regular season, the Strykers won 2-0 on Feb. 8.

In the U13 Astra Division, No. 1 Sidekick SC will take on No. 2 Bank of Guam Strykers for the championship title beginning at 9:20 a.m. Following the match, the champions trophy will be presented by GFA Executive Committee member Kelley Barnhart. The division’s second place trophy will be presented by Triple J Auto Group Marketing Manager Tina Esteves.

During the regular season, the teams drew 3-3 on Mar. 22.

All other age divisions, from U6 to U13 Lagu, will take part in festival-style Jamboree matches beginning at 8 a.m.

Over 1,600 youth players are expected to play in Jamboree or other season-ending matches Saturday. For all match schedules, visit https://guamfa.powerupsports.com

The Triple J Auto Group Robbie Webber Spring 2025 Jamboree will also feature potluck-style fiestas organized by participating clubs for their players, coaches, and supporters to celebrate the completion of the season.