OFC News

The first pilot course will kick off at Oceania Football Headquarters and Football Academy on Sunday 24th April at 9am commencing with an opening ceremony in the presence of OFC Senior Vice President Adrian Wickham (Solomon Islands), followed by a presentation of FIFA's development activities.

FIFA has appointed expert instructors from various Confederations to deliver presentations at the seven day course that will cover the important administrative topics designed to improve the knowledge and effectiveness of the management of the member's association's administration.

Heading the FIFA delegation will be Mary Harvey Director of Development, JÃf¼rg Nepfer Head of Course Programmes - Instructors are: Harold Mayne-Nicholls from Chile, Winston Lee from Singapore, Dato Paul Money Samuel from Malaysia, Bob Patterson and Fred Guillemont from New Zealand. The Course will be coordinated by the FIFA Development Officer in Auckland, Glenn Turner.

Leading administrative and management representatives from each of the Oceania member associations will participate in the course were opportunities will be provided to discuss topics and issues that will accelerate the development of football in the region. Following the course the representatives of the participating associations have the responsibility to transfer the knowledge gained within their own country for the improvement of the development of football.

Media representatives are invited to attend the opening ceremony where there will also be an opportunity for interviews with the FIFA delegation.

For further information please contact Bob Patterson on 021 67 56 17.

The Oceania Football Confederation ("OFC") Executive Committee has unanimously decided at its meeting in Noumea on Saturday to endorse the proposal by the Football Federation of Australia ("FFA") to resign from OFC and join the Asian Football Confederation ("AFC")

The FFA had formally advised OFC on 28 February 2005 of their intention to leave OFC and join AFC. The matter was discussed by the FIFA Executive Committee on 8 March who requested the two Confederations to discuss the proposal.

On 23 March, the AFC Executive had unanimously approved the invitation of Australia to Asia and the decision by the OFC on Saturday to allow Australia to leave clears the way for Australia to be formally accepted into the AFC.

OFC President, Reynald Temarii said that "football is an evolving game and we have to move with the times. The move of Australia to Asia is one the Executive and I fully support as it will further develop football in Australia and at the same time provide many opportunities for the remaining OFC members. Their departure is the catalyst we need in OFC to try even harder to develop the game in this region.

Temarii was pleased with the recent OFC U17 qualifying tournament held in New Caledonia in particular the results - "with Solomon Islands losing 2-0 in the semi final and Vanuatu losing 1-0 in the final to Australia illustrates that at the youth level there is little between the top 5 OFC countries. We have a bright future ahead".

As a sign of the good relations between OFC and the FFA, the two bodies will sign a co-operation agreement next month where the FFA pledges to assist the OFC in football development programmes. "Although they will be part of Asia we will continue to foster friendly relations with them and have exchanges. After all they are still family" Temarii said.

Both Fiji and Solomon Islands bag five goals in their opening games at the start of the éàà( OFC U17 QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT.

Fiji proved too strong for the game Papua New Guinea team coming out deserved 5 goals to 2 winners. 2 goals from both Nakuavo and Alvin Singh added to the opening goal of the tournament scored by number 9 from Fiji Epelie Junior. The score at half time with Fiji leading 3 goals to 0 had most of the stadium expecting a heavy defeat for the Papua New Guinea teqm but they came out fighting in the second half with two goals in quick time which saw the 1800 spectators come alive and get behind a rejuvinated team. However it did noty last with the two goals freom Singh tqking the game beyond the reach of the plucky Papua New Guinea team.

Team Line ups:

To Follow Solomon vs New Caledonia to follow