Saipan Soccer School

Play Smart, Live Strong | After School Program
Lesson 11 Group Discussion Highlights

💬 The situation changed. What do you do next?

This week's lesson focused on transition movement — both in soccer and in life.

Our players talked about:
⚽ Recognizing when a situation is becoming risky
⚽ Why walking away can be a smart and confident choice
⚽ Who their trusted teammates are
⚽ How friends, parents, teachers, and coaches can help them stay safe

On the field, players practiced reacting quickly, changing direction, finding open space, and supporting teammates during transitions.

Off the field, they learned that when a situation no longer supports their goals, they have the power to walk away, move to a safer place, and seek support.

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The Play Smart, Live Strong initiative by the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association empowers our youth to make healthy choices on and off the field. Together with the Saipan Soccer School After School Program, we are using the power of soccer to promote substance-free lifestyles and reduce the risk factors related to underage drinking and ma*****na use.

Every week we will share about our practical lessons, group discussion highlights, and soccer skills we learned to support our players as they Play Smart, Live Strong!

Play Smart, Live Strong | After School Program
Lesson 11: Walk Away 👟
This week, our players learned that one of the smartest decisions you can make when facing pressure is to simply walk away.
On the field, players practiced transition movement — reacting quickly when the game changes, finding open space, and moving into better positions to help their team succeed.
Off the field, we connected this skill to real-life situations. Just as players transition when possession changes, they can also choose to leave situations that feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
Walking away from alcohol, ma*****na, or negative influences is not quitting! It's making a smart play.
Through our group discussion and training, players learned that healthy choices often start with recognizing when it's time to move and finding teammates who will support them along the way.

___

The Play Smart, Live Strong initiative by the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association empowers our youth to make healthy choices on and off the field. Together with the Saipan Soccer School After School Program, we are using the power of soccer to promote substance-free lifestyles and reduce the risk factors related to underage drinking and ma*****na use.
Every week we will share about our practical lessons, group discussion highlights, and soccer skills we learned to support our players as they Play Smart, Live Strong!

Play Smart, Live Strong | After School Program
Lesson 11: Walk Away 👟

This week, our players learned that one of the smartest decisions you can make when facing pressure is to simply walk away.

On the field, players practiced transition movement — reacting quickly when the game changes, finding open space, and moving into better positions to help their team succeed.

Off the field, we connected this skill to real-life situations. Just as players transition when possession changes, they can also choose to leave situations that feel unsafe or uncomfortable.

Walking away from alcohol, ma*****na, or negative influences is not quitting! It's making a smart play.

Through our group discussion and training, players learned that healthy choices often start with recognizing when it's time to move and finding teammates who will support them along the way.

___

The Play Smart, Live Strong initiative by the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association empowers our youth to make healthy choices on and off the field. Together with the Saipan Soccer School After School Program, we are using the power of soccer to promote substance-free lifestyles and reduce the risk factors related to underage drinking and ma*****na use.

Every week we will share about our practical lessons, group discussion highlights, and soccer skills we learned to support our players as they Play Smart, Live Strong!

Revisiting the highlights of last week’s President’s Cup! 🏆⚽️✨

Four Days. Five Divisions. One Awesome Celebration!

Over four action-packed days, 316 players across 40 teams competed in 106 matches! From our youngest U8 players to our U17 athletes, every match brought great excitement, team spirit, and a wonderful display of Healthy Play, Healthy Lives 🙌🏼🩵

Through our Play Smart, Live Strong lessons and group discussions, athletes explored important life skills that help them make positive decisions both on and off the field. Our Fuel for Performance session also helped prepare our players for their matches and their defensive positioning in real life!

In partnership with the Opioid Proceeds Council, hundreds of players, families, and supporters joined our Healthy Play, Healthy Lives campaign by sharing their commitments through fun photo activities and pledging to make healthy choices, stay substance-free, and support one another.

Thank you to all the hands and hearts that helped make this event a success 🫶🏼

President’s Cup 2026 | Awardees 🏆⚽️✨

Congratulations to our President’s Cup 2026 Awardees!

🙌🏼 Team Spirit Award: Paire FC (U8)
⚽️ U8 Female Golden Boot: Komachi Castro (KNFC), Erzaleah Such (KNFC), Paloma Blue (PFC)
⚽️ U8 Male Golden Boot: Ched Asuncion (MPU FC)
🥉 U8 3rd Place: Latte FC
🥈 U8 2nd Place: Matansa FC
🏆 U8 1st Place: MPU FC

⚽️ U10 Female Golden Boot: Kira George (MPU FC)
⚽️ U10 Male Golden Boot: Francis Cabusora (KNFC) & Kevin Canolo (SSS)
🥉 U10 3rd Place: Paire FC
🥈 U10 2nd Place: Kanoa FC 1
🏆 U10 1st Place: Saipan Soccer School

⚽️ U12 Female Golden Boot: Darshwana Chhetri (LFC)
⚽️ U12 Male Golden Boot: Liam Palacios (LFC)
🥉 U12 3rd Place: Matansa FC
🥈 U12 2nd Place: Latte FC 1
🏆 U12 1st Place: Kanoa FC 1

⚽️ U14 Female Golden Boot: Amica Hornilla (PFC), Baylyn Mansfield (MFC), Lovel Spaeth (PFC)
⚽️ U14 Male Golden Boot: Lashawn Ada (MFC)
🥉 U14 3rd Place: Latte FC 1
🥈 U14 2nd Place: Paire FC 2
🏆 U14 1st Place: Matansa FC

⚽️ U17 Female Golden Boot: Iris Rasa (PFC)
⚽️ U17 Male Golden Boot: Napu Pangelinan (LFC) & Izaiah Tenorio (KNFC)
🥉 U17 3rd Place: Paire FC 2
🥈 U17 2nd Place: Kanoa FC 2
🏆 U17 1st Place: Kanoa FC 1

President’s Cup 2026 | Game Day 4 Highlights 🏆⚽️✨

What an incredible finish to a week of futsal, fun, and community!

Our final match day delivered exciting finishes across all divisions as teams gave it their all for the championship title. From close matches to memorable goals and saves, the energy and excitement filled the TSL Sports Complex from start to finish!

What stood out the most was the outstanding sportsmanship, teamwork, and enthusiasm shown by every player throughout the tournament. We saw teammates lifting each other up and families and supporters cheering on every moment of the action.

Congratulations to all of our awardees and participants! And of course, a heartfelt thank you to every player, coach, referee, volunteer, family member, and supporter who helped make this celebration such a success.

As we close out the tournament, we are proud to have shared the message of Healthy Play, Healthy Lives with more than 300 players, families, and community members over the past four days. In partnership with the Opioid Proceeds Council, this event has been an opportunity to celebrate the positive choices that help young people lead healthy lives.

Through soccer, we continue to encourage our youth to lead healthy lifestyles, make responsible decisions, stay substance-free, and be positive role models for their teammates, friends, and communities.

Thank you for being part of this special celebration. Until next time, keep choosing Healthy Play, Healthy Lives! 🩵⚽️✨