TAH group visits American Samoa & conducts clinics

The American Samoa department of education’s physical education division brought a group of coaches to the territory for free clinics in wrestling, track & field and also included basketball. ASDOE-PE contacted ASBA President, Milton Taufa’asau, to help support this clinic by organizing athletes between the ages of 13 – 18 with an exception to 19 & 20 year olds.

From the office of OCIA head official, Donna Gurr, coordinated together with the physical education division of the ASDOE, Clayton Mahuka, to bring down coaches to run a week long clinic in American Samoa. Basketball was included with coaches from California with the TAH group.

Coach Kirk Burrows who has been coaching high school basketball for 24 years and is a staff member of B.A.M. testing, which does testing for NBA combines and the Adidas nations basketball tournament. Coach Burrows is also a strength coordinator for Del Norte High school and works very closely with athletes through their strength program.

Steve Godla is an assistant superintendent of institutional & educational services at Del Norte county office of education and unified school district, who also coaches at Del Norte high school.

Clinics are being held at Tafuna high school gym that started on Tuesday July 9 at 8:30am till 11am. The clinics conclude on Saturday July 13 with a competition to round up the clinics. Coaches who participated are learning and observing coach Burrows and Godla handle the athletes through strategic plays, fundamentals & critical thinking (in terms of quick reaction).

Burrows emphasized at their school that, “it’s important that each kid knows their strength and build on it. Their weakness, to address it and take necessary steps to strengthen it.” Both coaches philosophy is about defense and hard work. “Defense is always priority. You can ask any coach and they’ll say that defense is the most important element to any game,” quote by Coach Burrows.

High school boys and girls from Samoana, Tafuna, Fa’asao Marist, Leone, South Pacific Academy and U19 have taken part in the clinics. Most of the players were intrigued with the training and also amazed at another athlete that was at the camp. Coach Godla’s son, Joe, who is 15 years old has been assisting Coach Burrows and Godla. Joe’s fundamental mechanics are outstanding and has been show casing the work he put in to get where he is today. Joe also has been running with the other local high school players to challenge them to move their game to another level.

The camp will conclude with a competition between the players and coaches Q&A. Taufa’asau, ASBA President, has been very appreciative to Coach Burrows, Godla and ASDOE for allowing ASBA to participate and support the clinic and is looking forward to the visit by TAH.




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