Lotopa, Samoa – This morning, on 23rd October, St Joseph’s College was formally recognised as the first Peace Football Pitch in the Pacific, twinning its football pitch with Flanders Peace Field in Belgium. This is part of the Children’s Football Alliance’s growing global network of peace pitches, designed to promote peace and education through sport.
Ernie Brennan, CEO and founder of the Children’s Football Alliance, explained the purpose behind the initiative in an interview with John M Peterson for Samoa Newshub. “We’re here today to twin the first-ever peace pitch in Samoa and the Pacific with Flanders Peace Field, where soldiers from both sides of the war met in 1914 to play football during the Christmas Truce. Football brings communities together, and this twinning connects Samoa to a global network of peace pitches,” Brennan said.
Paul Cooper, Director of the Children’s Football Alliance, spoke about the educational and international reach of the initiative, with over 75 peace pitches now established across six continents.
“We hope that some of the students from St Joseph’s College will attend the Global Peace Games in Belgium, where they’ll meet children from other peace pitches around the world. It’s not just about sport, but also about learning history and building connections,” Cooper added.
Although the planned match was cancelled due to weather, the plaque presentation and signing of official paperwork took place, formally recognising St Joseph’s College as a Peace Pitch.
The ceremony also paid tribute to the late Joe Chan Ting (Nuuleleiuaamatagofie), whose efforts established the connection between St Joseph’s College and the Flanders Peace Field initiative. Attendees included his wife, Vanda, and their three sons: Oliver Junior Cepha Chan Ting, Faasoa Aniseto Leonidas Chan Ting, and Fainuulelei Trevino Chan Ting. Lenalei Daijimara Chan Ting, their daughter, currently studying at Auckland University of Technology, was represented in spirit. The family signed the Peace Field Project Declaration.
In an interview with CFA, Vanda Chan Ting shared, “These are tears of joy, by the way. Anybody who met Joe knew he would do anything to support young people. This is a special day for St Joseph’s College, and it will be remembered for many years to come.”
Karen Penlington Luard, whose family has deep ties to Samoa, also attended the event. Her father, the late Attorney General of Samoa, helped draft the country’s constitution. “It feels like coming home,” Karen said, recalling her childhood years in Samoa.
Though heavy rain disrupted the day, the event still brought Samoa into a global community working for peace through sport.
