Teams from Utah, Hawaii and California have arrived in American Samoa ahead of this week's Samoa Bowl sports festival.
The US teams will compete against the hosts in volleyball and football matches over the coming days, with visiting college scouts using the Bowl to search for potential recruits from the territory.
The Bowl, which was started by former governor Togiola Tulafono, combines sport and cultural activites for the visiting players who are mostly of Samoan descent.
Head coach of the Hawaii football team Jimmy Higgins says it's a privilege to be a part of the event once more.
"We're actually very blessed to be able to be here and this is our 11th year here so I think it's a great opportunity for our kids to come home to their roots. This week we're going to share, they're going to learn a bit more of their culture and get more connected and at the end of it we will play a football game".
Jimmy Higgins says close to 80 percent of their athletes are taking part in the Samoa Bowl for the first time.
