COMMUNITY

Beach Soccer

Easter Monday saw the successful introduction of Beach Soccer in Vanuatu's northern town. The Beachfront Resort Beach Soccer Carnival kicked off with a total of 23 teams contesting trophies and medals sponsored by Beachfront Resort, and a total cash prize pool of 50,000 Vatu from Laho (Santo) Ltd.

In the men's division, 16 teams faced off in the knock-out competition, with first round losers entering the Plate Competition. In the Cup Final, Pump Station 1, winners of the recently held Santo Referee Futsol Tournament faced off against a formidable Wilco Hardware team. Pump Station were winners with a score of 2-0.

The boys from Aore Resort came up against Sia Raga FC, recent winners of LFA's Opening Cup. Although hard fought, Sia Raga proved too strong for Aore Resort with a score of 3-2.

The 5 teams in the women's division played a championship format to find the eventual winners. In first place was the team of Side Riva United, with a total of 8 points, closely followed by Sanma Laghe with 7 points and third place going to the First National Real Estate team.

The mixed competition saw teams from Wilco Hardware and TVL, with TVL winning two games to one.

Throughout the day, spot prizes donated by Vanuatu Agricultural Supplies, Putchi Store and Beachfront were won by participants.

Live coverage of the event was provided by the LFA Referee sponsor, Northern Island Meat Supplies. This was also the first time referees in Luganville had the chance to officiate beach soccer, allowing them to put newly acquired skills to the test.

The Beachfront Resort Beach Soccer Carnival was the first event of its kind held in Luganville. The Luganville Football Association is grateful to the partnership and huge support from Beachfront Resort and looks forward to building this annual event in the years to come.

Frangipani Association

Wrecks to Rainforest have been supporting Frangipani Association (Disabled Children's association) for the past 2 years, donating old clothes, and old toys for Christmas, organised a visit to the P & O cruise ships, and last September organised with Belmol Horse Paradise to offer the children their first horse riding & picnic at Belmol Farm. Wrecks to Rainforest is looking for more events & support for the association.

Remote Schools

Wrecks to rainforest have been organising many people in Japan to send stationary for the primary schools in the remote villages of Vanuatu. This has been a great help as many of these remote schools have a very limited supply of resources.

Espiritu Santo Aore Swim and Canoe Race

The Espiritu Santo Aore Swim is an annual event held each year in June. It is part of the international ocean swimming calendar and is a challenging 2.6 km swim across the Segond Channel, from the main island of Santo to Aore Island.

The Espiritu Santo Aore swim though is much more than just a sporting event, but an exchange of goodwill between people of different cultures and countries. It is the interaction and involvement by the local Ni Vanuatu people that make the swim such a special day for all. The swimmers are touched by the support of the local men paddling along side them as they cross the deep waters. Hugs are exchanged at the finish line as a show of appreciation and thanks. For spectators it is a unique experience and the feeling of goodwill memorable.

The events also include the local community with a traditional Outrigger Canoe Race held on the day before. Local men, women and children compete to be the first to reach the crowd at Unity Park Santo. The winners last year paddled their canoe all the way from Malekula to take part in the event. For the first time a canoe with traditional sail category was included in the race day.

The Espiritu Santo Aore Swim attracts swimmers and their families to Santo; they are surprised at the beauty and adventure of this unknown and unspoiled island and promise to return.

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