Out of Retirement

I remember seven months back, when I was packing for my journey into the Pacific. It was a challenge to only bring the essential things I thought I would need in Micronesia. Teaching materials, sunblock, antibiotics were first into my pack. Sandals were next. I was told those were the only "shoes" you need in Pohnpei. Then my size 10 Copa Mundial cleats caught the corner of my eye. I thought I probably wouldn't use them during my two-year tenure here, but I threw them in anyway. Shortly after coming to this little island, I found the International F.C. and the Pohnpei Premiere League. After 7 years of retirement from soccer in the U.S., I find myself back on the pitch in a place where soccer is in its developmental stages.

While the "organized" part of this organized league can be frustrating at times, I feel both honored and lucky to support soccer in a foreign country. My initial involvement in the league probably came from selfish reasons. I was searching for something familiar in a very unfamiliar place. I didn't know Micronesia, but I certainly knew soccer. I am very surprised to see how my knowledge of soccer has brought me closer and closer to the island, and the people on it.

During my short run in the Premiere League, relationships formed quickly and strongly with the Pohnpeian/Sri Lankan/Fijian/Australian players I was playing with. A lack of youth and a lack of attendance landed the International F.C. with a 4th place overall finish. I was happy to see the Island Pitbulls take down the Seventh Day Adventist boys in the final. Very happy (no offense SDA). Their mohawked captain, Dilshan Senarathgoda, approached me about practicing with some of the better players from the league. His demeanor didn't match his hair style. In a very calm, cool way, he simply asked, "Hey, Phil right? Some of the guys are getting together and practicing this week. You should come out." I did. And, it has been a happily-ever-after story since then. Well, if you don't count the shin splints, ankle sprains and tweaked knees. The pitch in Pohnpei is far from perfect, but it has been the best way for me to interact with locals my age.

After a few practices, I found out there was a more serious purpose to these Monday, Wednesday, Friday kick-abouts. These boys were trying to pick up an ugly legacy left by a former Pohnpei team and turn it into a new and improved Pohnpei State Soccer team. Coach Paul Watson is the head of this machine and has quite a task in front of him.

I have lived and worked on this small island for the last seven months. One of the first "cultural" things I learned is that the terms on time or schedule have lost all meaning. Thirty minutes late to a soccer match is still considered "on time" for most of the players out here. Now, imagine trying to get an entire squad to the field and ready to warm up at 5:30, three times a week! Not only is it frustrating, but it hinders the progression that Watson wants to see in his squad. Progression that started slow, but has rapidly gained momentum.

Wikipedia describes the team as such: "They mainly play international matches in Micronesia Games: in both editions they finished at the last place. They are yet to register a win, and some call the team the weakest football team in the world.

In June 2009 it was announced that English coaches Paul Watson and Matthew Conrad would be working with Pohnpei football legend Charles Musana to re-launch the Pohnpei State team and address the current absence of a Federated States of Micronesia side.

After a series of meetings between soccer chiefs on Pohnpei and FSM Olympic Committee head Jim Tobin, a new soccer task force including Peter Konings and Charles Musana was established charged with the task of rejuvenating football on the island.

The new coaching team of Paul Watson, Yafeth Konings, Dilshan Senarathgoda and Matthew Conrad are the youngest in the history of international football.

In August and September 2009, Pohnpei staged the Liberation Day Games Cup - its first official, organized club competition in many years. After the tournament's success, the Pohnpei Premier League was scheduled for October 2009."

With all that said, it has been an honor and a blessing for me to join the movement, experiment...whatever you want to label it. Just practicing with the guys is a means of catharsis after a long day in the classroom. Especially considering the personalities of the players:

It is a strange combination of humility, Betel nut, martial arts, swearing, friendship, inappropriate gestures, break dancing, kepit (local word for teasing), hard work, absenteeism (as I mentioned above). Through it all, I am impressed with the dedication. The one that has affected me the most (besides kepit) is the across-the-board acceptance. When I am on the field, I am obviously menwhi (foreigner). But the way the guys have welcomed me into their game and sometimes even their personal lives makes me feel like menpohnpei (from Pohnpei). This acceptance has even affected my life off the field. There have been many times when I share food, drink (sometimes too much) and conversation with the players and their families.

After a couple of months of practice and nights out on the town, Paul and Dilshan invited me to put on a blue jersey and take a permanent spot on the Pohnpei State team as a left midfielder. My immediate thought was "heck yes!" But keeping with Ignation tradition and JVI ideals, I needed to discern whether it would affect my ministry, my work and/or my community. Not only that, I had to think about the implications of a foreign volunteer (aka ME) representing an island nation.

I will be representing a state that I have only known for 8 months. I begin thinking about the JVI idea of "social justice" and how that would relate to my spot on the starting roster. But, it seems a bit too deep for this instance. The issue of "fairness" is what it came down to. Rodrigo, Micah, Bob, Robert: some of these players may be riding the bench for 45 minutes while I muscle my way down the left side of the field. The invitation to join the team was surprising and legitimate. Yes, I have spent as many hours on the pitch as each player. But, if we were to tally how many hours we have all spent in the Equatorial Pacific, I would certainly fall short. The deciding factor for me was this: Opportunity. By playing with this team, many things open up. My interaction with the community, my stress level dropping, my chance to teach something I have practiced for years (World History isn't one of those things), not to mention - my students think it is pretty "cool". The pros heavily outweigh the cons, and that's good enough for me.

I discerned, and I am very comfortable with my decision. In July, I'll be lacing up my boots and dawning the Pacific-blue jersey of the Pohnpei State Soccer team. I just hope that I can bring something to my teammates. Drills, experience, moves....maybe. Positivity, encouragement, mentoring...I certainly hope so. Conversely, I can't even begin to count the number of things I have learned and will learn from my teammates.