Tinian holds multiple competitions

Tinian Football Club’s U12 team members line up before the start of their game against Tan Holdings FC in the 2014 NMIFA Youth Fall League late last month at the San Antonio Middle School Field. (Tinian Premier Football Club)

According to Gasetan Taotao Tinian, the monthly newsletter of the Tinian Mayor’s Office, Tinian players are participating in three on-going events, while a fourth one its set later this month.

Tinian Premier Football Club is having its fall league season with games scheduled for five different groups: U10A, U10B, U12A, U12B, and U15. The club’s U12 teams are traveling to Saipan every Saturday to challenge Kanoa FC, Shirley’s FC, Tan Holdings FC, Paire FC, Matansa FC, and MP United in the U12 B division of the 2014 NMIFA Youth Fall League. The two Tinian squads and the Saipan teams are playing in various school fields here.

Back on Tinian, the rest of the club’s teams play every Saturday from 4pm to 8pm, while training sessions are set every Tuesday and Thursday from 4pm to 6pm. Though the fall league has started, Tinian Premier is still accepting new youth players (8 to 18 age division) in its program, which is supported by Sherman Consulting, Ace Hardware, JC Café, M.E.T, Lucky Qiang, DYS, and DCCA.

The island has another youth program with Typhoon Sports Association holding a co-ed flag football competition.

Games are played every Wednesday and Friday nights for teams in the U14 and U18 divisions. The 69ers and Spartans are entered in the U18 age group, while Blue Lightning and Red Storm are competing in the U14 division.

Flag-football games are conducted by volunteers headed by former CNMI team member Keith Nabors, while a friendly match between the U.S. Marines and local players took place late last month.

In basketball, Tinian has players competing in the three age group divisions in the 2014 BANMI Youth League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The island has several players suiting up for the U21 division leader Ol’Aces, who are unbeaten in three games in the BANMI youth caging. In the U18 and U14 division, Tinian has its own teams. The island’s U18 squad is also undefeated in three matches, while its U14 squad has yet to barge into the win column.

Meanwhile, the Bikers Association of Tinian will hold the Pedaling for Progress 35K MTB Race/Cancer Awareness Ride on Oct. 25. Registration is on-going for a fee of $35. A mountain bike will be raffled off after the race.

The race will start and end at Taga Beach and will have competitions for three divisions: 9 to 12, 13 to 17, and 18-and-above. Registration is free for the 9 to 12 age group and can be made through Tinian Premier Football Club or Gineftao Children. To register in other age groups, contact Margo Gifford or Dawn Sarmiento.