LIHUE — A handful of Kauai’s youth soccer players are going off-island to show their stuff. Four players from club Team Onipa’a will take part in a showcase featuring youth from around the state at Keopuolani Park in Wailuku, Maui
LIHUE — A handful of Kauai’s youth soccer players are going off-island to show their stuff.
Four players from club Team Onipa’a will take part in a showcase featuring youth from around the state at Keopuolani Park in Wailuku, Maui which begins Friday.
Those from Onipa’a participating are Lily Watari, Jasmine Semblante, Jaidah Ahuna and Brianna Ehia.
Some of the players took part in a tryout on island, and others were invited after being scouted at a previous tournament on Oahu, said Onipa’a coach Ramon Semblante.
“They were selected from the recommendation from the coaches and the club,” Semblante said Wednesday. “I recommended a lot of kids from my club. Only four got chosen.”
The group is part of just 24 players who were invited to the two-day showcase hosted by the Hawaii Soccer Federation.
Semblante added a scout from US Club Soccer, part of the United States Soccer Federaration, will be in attendance and the players will be vying for an invitation to work with US Club Soccer in Arizona.
“This time, we’re lucky. Luckily, we’ll get the coach from the girls coach from the U14 and U16 (teams) coming,” Semblante said. “I think this is the first time they’ll see the girls. Usually, they’ll only see the boys.”
He added: “We’ll just try our best.”
