KAREN EARNSHAW
Soccer is bubbling along in Majuro with Marshall Islands Soccer Federation officials pleased to let everyone know that Coach Bitamatang Keakea from Kiribati is on island.
According to Soccer Federation officials: “He is returning to coach for MISF. He is working in Majuro Middle School and RES coaching soccer as well as SDA school. Alongside this, he will be delivering sessions across the island over the next few weeks.”
Another key person in the Majuro soccer line-up is coach Tony Theomae who is the coach at Coop School.
The officials added that all children are welcome to their kids session at Coop School this Saturday from 5-6pm, adults to the futsal session at Coop Tuesday 6-8pm and adults to a grass soccer session Friday 6-8pm at the Jenrok Track and Field stadium.
In related developments:
The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation held its Annual General Meeting, in person and virtually, on February 7.
The elected officials who are continuing on the board are President Shem Livai, Senior Vice President Divine Waiti, and Members at Large Scott Hill (Kwajalein) and Tony Theomae.
Continuing Soccer Federation executives who are now officially on the board are Vice President for Women’s Development Lloyd Owers (based in Britain) and Secretary General Matt Webb (also in Britain). New to the MISF board is Treasurer Martin Housanau (Kwajalein).
President Shem Livai said Tuesday that “Martin just came from Solomon Islands and was much involved in the country’s federation as a player and board member. He is a certified coach similar to Lloyd.”
Meanwhile, Springdale, Arkansas continues to be a hub for events hosted by the Soccer Federation. The Women’s National Team Manager, Danielle Mihalko, said this week there is a range of events being held at the various city recreation parks including the Rogers Parks and Recreation field.
The camps include side-by-side men’s and women’s soccer team camps and features an all-Marshallese women’s squad. The men’s team has a few non-Marshallese players, but all qualify under the rules.
Danielle and her husband Ted London, who live in Ann Arbor, Michigan, have two Marshallese children, both of whom are keen participants in the camps. “It was so freaking cool to see 11 Marshallese girls/women training together,” she said. “Ariana has NEVER played with another Marshallese in the US until today. It was emotional.”
As well as the camps, MISF organized special youth soccer clinics in which youngsters from the general community participated. Overall, the event saw over 30 youth taking part.
Danielle and Ted’s son Zach played in the 2025 Outrigger Challenge Cup, also organized by the MISF and held in Springdale in August. It was held at the Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium.
The EverybodyWiki website* states that Zach was 15 years and 78 days old, making him the youngest national footballer to have competed internationally: “London began his youth career at Liverpool International Academy Michigan, where he currently plays. His international career began in August 2025 when he was called up to the Marshallese national team for a tournament against the US Virgin Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
Ted is also involved in MISF: “Ted has a group of MBAs here working on a project to create a sustainable funding strategy for MISF until they reach FIFA (the international federation) level … at which point FIFA will provide funding.”
*https://en.everybodywiki.com/Zach_London