Last month the Fédération Tahitienne de Football announced the new season of women’s football competitions, including the new U-11 and U-15 (formerly U-16), before they launched across Tahiti and Moorea.
The league in Moorea launched the senior competition on October 31st at the field in Haapiti with FTF Head of Women’s Football Stéphanie Spielmann on hand to assist with proceedings.
Four teams took part representing AS Temanava, AS Tapuhute and two from AS Mira, with Temanava earning the lone victory of the day after beating Mira 2, 5-2, while Tapuhute held AS Mira 1 to a scoreless draw.
The two new leagues are run in a festival format with the first one held at Stade Mahina, home to Ligue 1 side AS Venus, on the 14 of November with 17 teams participating across the two categories.
FTF Head of Women’s Football Development Stéphanie Spielmann said organisers were delighted to get the opening day underway.
“We have a lot of teams, a lot girls playing, a lot of coaches. During the festivals we have several different workshops running alongside the matches, there’s Just Play, a technical workshop and challenges with prizes at the end. For the matches, there is a field marked for 8-a-side and two for 5-a-side.”
Unfortunately for the aspiring footballers hoping to get some game-time, COVID-19 disrupted things after the French Polynesia Government put a halt to all sporting competitions in Tahiti, Moorea and the Leeward Islands.
The only upside, is all outdoor trainings can continue.
Spielmann said she’s looking at things optimistically, despite the pause in competition.
“The competitions are suspended, yes, but I’m continuing with all the programmes we’ve initiated for girls. At the moment it’s only competitions which aren’t allowed, not trainings.”
Click here to view the 2020 Activity Plan for Youth Women’s Football in Tahiti.
Competitions are officially on hold until December 14, 2020.
