PRESS RELEASE – After meeting players from different youth clubs in the first week of the Guam Football Association & The Score’s “Just Kick It” All-Girls League, players returned for Week 2 action more relaxed with their teammates and with more confidence in their game.

“I love playing soccer matches,” said Sadie Apuron, a nine-year-old student at Adacao Elementary School. “My coach at my club told me about the All-Girls League starting and I wanted to join again. My favorite part of the league is that we always make new friends and we have fun playing games. I want to tell all my friends that they should play, too.

“We also got a new league T-shirt today – it’s a really pretty shirt,” added the Dededo resident who will also play for Community First Dededo Soccer Club in the upcoming Triple J Auto Group Robbie Webber Youth League.

Matches continued in the U8, U10, and U12 age divisions Saturday at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. League coaches placed girls onto different teams in Week 2, and still have slots available for additional teams.

Breanna Flores rushes to the goal during a U8 match of the Guam Football Association & The Score’s “Just Kick It” All-Girls League Saturday at the GFA National Training Center.

“This league has been great – I think the girls feel less intimidated to play and apply skills they’ve learned when it’s just with other girls,” said Bob Shambach, one of the league’s volunteer coaches who also coaches in Dededo’s U10 division. “With the All-Girls league, they get more touches on the ball and have more opportunities to improve their skills.

“There are quite a few girls from the GFA National Academy who play and also help the other players. I’ve seen a lot of improvement from the girls who consistently play in this league and the youth league,” Shambach added.

The All-Girls league, supported in large part by a financial grant from FIFA’s Women’s Development Program, continues for two more Saturdays. All matches begin at 4 p.m.

New players who want to play need only to register with GFA during business hours. The registration fee is $40. Each registered player receives a player identification card that is valid until the end of this year and can also be used to play in the youth league.

For more information about the league or for upcoming GFA initiatives, call the GFA Main Office at 637-4321.

PHOTO GALLERY:

Shyann Roberto tries to keep the ball away from an opponent during a U12 match of the Guam Football Association & The Score’s “Just Kick It” All-Girls League Saturday at the GFA National Training Center.

Players in the U12 division play a match of the Guam Football Association & The Score’s “Just Kick It” All-Girls League Saturday at the GFA National Training Center.

Luella Cramer and Jada Han run to gain possession of the ball during a U10 match of the Guam Football Association & The Score’s “Just Kick It” All-Girls League Saturday at the GFA National Training Center.

Maria Calvo attempts to get the ball past the defense of Sadie Apuron during a U10 match of the Guam Football Association & The Score’s “Just Kick It” All-Girls League Saturday at the GFA National Training Center.