LIHUE — For Team Onipa‘a Under 12 girls soccer team, participating in the President’s Cup on Oahu is kind of like a graduation, said Coach Ramon Semblante during a practice Monday at the North Vidinha fields.
“The Under 12 is the oldest division that can participate in this tournament,” Semblante said. “For many of the girls, they’ve been to tournaments off-island before. We also have three girls who will be experiencing their first off-island tournament. This President’s Cup tournament is like graduation before the girls move on to the next level.”
Semblante said the President’s Day Cup will be Feb. 13 through 15 at the Waipio Soccer Fields on Oahu. It is also a qualifier for the Surf Cup which will contest in July and August in San Diego, California.
His son Nicky is an assistant coach with Team Onipa‘a and daughter Jasmine is part of the 16-member team.
“We used to travel to tournaments during the summer,” Semblante said. “But this time, the winner of the President’s Cup advances to the San Diego tournament in the summer. Should Team Onipa‘a win, the girls will have to miss two days of school because of when it plays.”
Team Onipa‘a traveling team is made up of girls from Kekaha to Hanalei.
In addition to Team Onipa‘a U12 Girls, Kauai will also have representation from Keahi who will be fielding a Boys Under 10 team, and two teams from Futsal Kauai, an Under 10 Boys, and an Under 10 Girls team.
“To advance in this tournament, we have 12 teams in the Under 12 division,” Coach Ramon said. “There are four teams in the bracket we’re playing. We need to finish in the top two to advance in the division playoffs for this tournament which feature teams from throughout the state.”
Joining Coach Ramon in the coaches box are assistants Jr. Ehia, Tony Brigante, and Nicky Semblante.
Players making the trip include Kianalei Kamalani, Mackenna Tamanaha, Kalista Brigante, Jasmine Semblante, Ella Beck, Hanna Wamsley, Annie Nizo, Lily Watari, Dominica DeTrolio, Pa‘ana Malama-Gomes, Adriana Hernandez, Jessica Cezar, Kayley Gardner, Maka Calderon, Jaidah Ahuna and Brianna Ehia.
“This is the first time I’m taking a team to the tournament,” Semblante said. “I’ve been to the tournament for the past five years with my children, taking other interested players to the tournament, but never taking a team. But this is the last year for Under 12. Everyone must start somewhere. One of these days, maybe I’ll bring the kids to the mainland so they can see other tournaments.”
