It’s been a busy football season for Trident High School’s Te Koha Schick, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

The 15-year-old recently represented Samoa in the under-16 Oceania Football Tournament, then turned out for his school at tournament week in Dunedin where he was the top goal scorer and team’s most valuable player at the Linwood Cup.

The Samoan experience came after Te Koha saw a Facebook post and decided to email and apply.

“It was something I’ve wanted to do, so I sent in a video trial and got selected for the team.”

“At first, it didn’t look like it was going to happen because I don’t live in Samoa,” he said. “So, it was really exciting to have the opportunity to represent Samoa. Donning the blue will forever be special.”

He met the team for the first time at the airport in Port Moresby.

“It was unreal. Playing with the Samoa team was a unique experience and wasn’t really what I was expecting,” Te Koha said.

“Everyone was really outgoing and energetic, which made the experience even more exciting.”

At tournament, they faced New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.

While it was challenging, Te Koha enjoyed pitting himself against top-quality players from around Oceania and scored Samoa’s only goal of the tournament.

“We didn’t go as well as we would have liked, but we were the youngest team at the tournament,” he said.

“It was my first time playing with the team, so it was cool to play with them and see how they play compared with New Zealand. Their playing style is a lot more physical.

“I performed pretty well; I was the only one who scored a goal for my team, so I was happy with that,” he said.

Te Koha would like to represent Samoa again if the opportunity arises.

“I’m hoping to play for Samoa in the U15 World Cup, which is in October this year. We’re looking at how this could work, as I’m not based in Samoa.”

Back home, the school football season has gone well for Te Koha and Trident.

“We have improved and are working well as a team, so we’ve been able to win more games this season,” he said.

“I just want to keep playing football, keep progressing and having fun.”