The Department of Education no longer has an Athletics Office. Director of Education Maefau Dr Mary Taufetee testified at a hearing of the House Education Committee that sports programs are now under the Secondary Division and overseen by the American Samoa High School Athletics Association, ASHAA.
The director also revealed that there’s no funding in the department’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget for sports events. She acknowledged that sports was a vital component of the curriculum and DOE’s goal of developing students both academically and athletically.
Dr Taufetee said the closure of the Athletics Office does not mean that there will be no sports events in the new school year. She informed lawmakers that DOE is talking with businesses and non government organizations for assistance so that sports events can be continued. She indicated that some NGOs have said that they can assist in organizing some of the sports events but the assistance is not guaranteed.
Rep Trude Ledoux-Sunia reacted with emotion. She said as a mother it was heartbreaking to learn that no funding has bene made available for sports programs.
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She said the new school year is about to begin but there’s still no schedule of sports leagues and tournaments. She said parents and coaches have been asking for the schedule. The Pago Pago faipule had misgivings that businesses and NGOs would provide the needed funding, pointing out that the organizations have their own financial needs.
She was also concerned that students will lose out on athletic scholarships.
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The Pago Pago faipule said school gyms have been built to help develop our children’s physical health and their potential to compete in sports. She urged the DOE leadership to use radio, television and other means to appeal for the public’s assistance. She said with schools starting soon, there was urgency to start now as football teams are getting ready and coaches and parents are concerned that there’s still no schedule. Ledoux-Sunia also appealed to House members for help in restoring funding for DOE sports programs during upcoming budget hearings.
Rep. Ben Vaomu Sauvao pledged the support of the Volleyball Association to organize the school volleyball league. He asked that DOE give equal emphasis and attention to all sports, not just football. He wanted more attention and support for sports in which the territory has won medals such as volleyball and softball. Rep Sauvao reminded that when school sports was under the secondary division and ASHAA before, there were also problems. He too urged that DOE act swiftly to make a plan for school sports as coaches are already securing uniforms and supplies for their teams.
