The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has solidified its commitment to the development of women’s football through to 2027 with the launch of its landmark Women’s Football Strategy this evening.
In a no-expense spared launch event at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Auckland, New Zealand, stakeholders including New Zealand Football President Johanna Wood, were joined virtually by the FIFA President Gianni Infantino, OFC President Lambert Maltock, FIFA Chief Women’s Football Sarai Bareman and CONCAFAF Head of Women’s Football Karina Le Blanc.
Concurrently, events were held at hubs across the Pacific region, with key stakeholders, partners and the women’s football development officers who contributed their expertise to the development of the strategy were present.
The strategy took almost two years to develop from start to finish, in a process that included extensive consultation with women involved in a multitude of roles in football, from across New Zealand and the Pacific region.
The strategy is expected to increase the development, growth, sustainability and professionalism of the game, as the Confederation aims to achieve the goal of having two competitive teams at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.
OFC President Lambert Maltock said the document is being delivered at a crucial moment in the development of women’s football in Oceania.
“The strategy is binding governors and administrators of football to develop the women’s game in every aspect and level over the next six years,” he said.
“It aligns with our commitment to ensure that we provide as many opportunities as possible for women in the region.”
The OFC Women’s Football Strategy has been shaped around five pillars:
For OFC Women’s Football Manager Emma Evans, it is a delight to see the finished product following an intensive and collaborative process.
“I would like to thank the invaluable contribution from our Member Associations, General Secretaries, Technical Directors, Women’s Development Officers, OFC and FIFA for their help in developing this strategy,” Evans said.
“We’re all committed to focusing on the five key pillars and bringing them to life to grow women’s football in Oceania.”
In addition to launching the strategy, OFC has appointed Women’s Football Ambassadors representing its 11 Member Associations.
The ambassadors have been identified for the potential to perform for their national teams over the period of the strategy, their ability to live up to the values of the document, and their presence as role models in their respective countries.
The OFC Women’s Ambassadors are:
American Samoa | Olivia Vaiomounga
Cook Islands | Teretia Teinaki
Fiji | Naomi Waqanidrola
New Caledonia | Jackie Pahoa
New Zealand | Meikayla Moore
Papua New Guinea | Yvonne Gabong
Samoa | Torijan Lyne-Lewis
Solomon Islands | Laydah Samani
Tahiti | Kiani Wong
Tonga | Lositika Feke
Vanuatu | Rita Solomon
To read the OFC Women’s Football Strategy in full, check out the English and French versions below: