OFC Marketing consultant Mike Loftus says the success of a marketing plan that secured a sponsorship from Coca-Cola for the Samoa Football Soccer Federation could be a template for future marketing projects in other member associations within OFC.

In 2006 OFC Marketing consultant Mike Loftus visited Papua New Guinea twice and Samoa providing mentoring and guidance in securing sponsorship. Interest in utilising a similar mentoring programme amongst other OFC member associations was high.

President of the Samoa Football Soccer Federation and former OFC Acting President Tautulu Roebuck said Mike Loftus input in securing the sponsorship deal with Coca-Cola had been invaluable.

"Mike changed our way of thinking about how we should approach sponsors. In the past, we met a lot of reluctance (from potential sponsors) because we didn't have the knowledge-base to make an effective approach. Simply asking to be sponsored is not enough."

Roebuck said that many observers mistakenly saw the success of the FIFA Goal project as some sort of proof that Samoa Football Soccer Federation had access to a bottomless pit of cash support from FIFA.

Loftus said the deal with Coca-Cola was a perfect fit for both parties.

"Coca-Cola was launching Powerade as a sports energy drink in Samoa and with the popularity of football rising amongst youngsters in the Oceania region, Coca-Cola received access to a market of primary school footballers. I'm optimistic that the Samoa Football Soccer Federation can renew the arrangement with Coca-Cola in coming years."

FIFA General Secretary Dr. Urs Linsi arrived at the OFC Strategic Workshop in Bora Bora, Tahiti today and paid tribute to the work of OFC President Reynald Temarii and OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas.

Tai Nicholas said Dr. Linsi's presence was an opportunity to demonstrate ideas of how the OFC wants to operate itself as a confederation and to emphasise the growing levels of professionalism in its management structures.

Dr. Linsi complimented the OFC on its slogan "An Ocean of Solidarity" stating it encapsulated and expressed the spirit of FIFA's own democratic processes.

"Within FIFA, every member is considered equally. In politics and the world of economics, perhaps this is not always the case. Within FIFA all members have the same right and same duties. OFC is a confederation within this framework on merit. When full confederation status was conferred to the OFC in 1996, it was with a clear `yes' and that makes the OFC of the same importance as any other confederation."

Dr. Linsi said the presence of OFC personnel on a range of FIFA committees reflected the high level of professional abilities amongst its representatives. He said OFC's key challenge was to achieve results on the football pitch but added that countries such as Solomon Islands were starting to prove themselves as "a really traditional football nation" with their success at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Rio de Janeiro 2006 and their creditable performances against Australia in their last FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

Also present during Dr. Linsi's address were Mr. Geoffrey Thompson, Chairman of the FA, Ms. Jane Bateman, FA Head of International Relations, Mr. Marios Lekaritis, Vice-President of UEFA, and Mr. Lars-Christer Olsson, CEO of UEFA and FFF Deputy General Secretary, Mr. Andre Prevosto and Mr. Fernand Duchaussoy President of the FFF Amateur League.

During the workshop, OFC President, Reynald Temarii said OFC's commitment to using football as a tool for social development and education had seen a number of agreements made with various UN agencies. He said it was an area of development that OFC had not previously entered into in the previous 38 years of its history.

He said OFC was the first sporting organisation in the region to engage organisations such as the UN and that the benefits to football and education and nurturing social development were many.

"Our aim to develop football must work in with the communities that make up our football family. Now that football is accepted as a tool for education by schools in the region, we are able to schedule tournaments to coincide with school holidays with the co-operation of governments. Kids can now go to these tournaments and we are not fighting with school programme but complimenting it. This is important."

Mr. Temarii said relationships with the EU and the New Zealand government were the first of its kind and designed to work on public health issues within the OFC region.

Dr. Linsi complimented OFC's good work in securing relationships with governments and non-government agencies "as long as the autonomy of sport [to make its own decisions] is not touched. It is important to defend absolutely the autonomy of football."

The standard of refereeing and OFC's commitment to the improvement of refereeing standards across the confederation was the subject of debate at the OFC Strategic Workshop in Bora Bora, Tahiti today.

OFC Referee Technical Director, Ken Wallace, delivered a detailed presentation that emphasised the growing need for a Referee Recruitment Programme.

"One worrying trend is there are more referee instructors than referees at the highest level that drop out of the game following considerable investment in time and resources."

OFC President Reynald Temarii said that one of the issues facing the development of referees was that people with the best technical knowledge were not always selected in technical development roles in their member associations.

"We need to make sure that the right people are in the right job. I understand this is a sensitive subject, but perhaps it is best to be direct about this. We need to find our objectivity.

This is a very important area for OFC. I use the example of Athens 2004, where we did not have a team from the OFC represent our region, but a referee. We have more chance of representation at the highest level through our officials."

Temarii said OFC funding of Referee Development had increased each year since 2004 and reflected a significant percentage of OFC's projected budget for 2007.

"Finding international exposure for our referees is essential. The new agreement with the FFA can perhaps give us the opportunity to send OFC referees to officiate in the Australian domestic competition", Temarii said.

FIFA Head of Development Mary Harvey voiced concern at participant drop-off. "Each Futuro Course costs FIFA approximately $70-80,000US and to hear about participant drop-off is worrying."

VFF President, Jacque Tronquet, understood those concerns but stated that social and economic factors in developing nations often made long-term commitment to refereeing a difficult choice for individuals to make.

There was no way Brazil were going to let this one slip. After unexpectedly crashing out of last year's competition at the semi-final stage, the hosts laid their ghosts to rest by crowning a flawless 2006 campaign with a 4-1 win over Uruguay on Sunday to claim the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

The day turned out to be one big Brazilian party from start to finish. Singer Daniela Mercury got the fans in the mood before the big kick-off, and even the prospect of facing old rivals Uruguay, the team that so dramatically denied the Auriverdes at the 1950 FIFA World Cup, failed to dampen the sense of expectation among the fans.

Brazil win FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006 news

The Oceania Football Confederation's (OFC) 40th Anniversary celebrations got off to an exciting start yesterday with the signing of a historic agreement between OFC and Football Federation Australia (FFA). The agreement was signed at the Pearl Resort, in Bora Bora, will see the FFA make a financial contribution to the OFC for the purpose of coaching and technical development over the next 12 years.

Football Federation Australia Director, Ron Harvey, said Australia's commitment to making an ongoing contribution to the development of football in Oceania was appropriate recognition for a longstanding and common history.

"Football Federation Australia's move to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) went smoothly and OFC's part in that process was very helpful. It was the correct decision for everyone. Football Federation Australia does not hold the view that we are big brothers of the OFC, but instead, very friendly neighbours."

OFC President Reynald Temarii was equally delighted by the FFA's decision to sign the 12-year agreement.

"Australia's departure to the AFC opened the door to more competitive games, a bigger market place. For OFC, it has given greater opportunity for our member associations to take part in major tournaments. But, by signing this agreement, FFA has shown us their ongoing commitment to developing football in the region."

The OFC will sign an agreement with the English FA on Monday 13th November, 2006 at the Pearl Resort, Bora Bora, 7pm local time. FA Chairman, Geoffrey Thompson, and FA Head of International Relations, Jane Bateman, will be present at the signing ceremony alongside OFC President Reynald Temarii and OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas.

The OFC Extraordinary Congress will take place at the Raddison Hotel, Papeete, Tahiti, on Wednesday 15th November, 2006.

The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Rio de Janeiro 2006 is down to the last four with only one suprise - Uruguay - knocking Argentina out at the quarter-final stage. The Solomon Islands Bilikiki Boys knocked out at the first round will take some consolation in Uruguay and Portugal's presence in the final four teams.

World heavyweights Brazil and France make up the semi-final quartet. France will face Uruguay in the first semi-final clash with the exciting prospect of Brazil meeting Portugal in the second semi-final.

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006 news

Newcomer Canada was the surprise of match day 6 of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006.

The Canadians defeated European champion Spain with 4-0 and secured with the first shut-out of the tournament a place among the best eight teams, sending Spain, one of the competition's favorites, back home. In the quarterfinals, the Canucks will now face a tough match against Brazil.

The host team had no problems to qualify for the next stage beating the USA with 10:6 in the last match of group A .

France, already qualified before the last group match, did their homework and beat Iran 6-3.

The end of the day was marked by a thrilling fight for the last quarterfinal berth between Poland and Japan. Takeshi Kawaharazuka sealed the place of the Asians in the round of the best eight teams only a few seconds before the end of match despite a 5:8 defeat, leaving the Polish coach Jacek Ziober a very disappointed man.

Japan will now face defending champion France in the next round on Thursday.

After a day off on Wednesday, the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006 will continue on Thursday (9 November) with the quarterfinals: 9:40 AM (local time/GMT-2) - France vs. Japan; 11 AM - Brazil vs. Canada; 12:20 PM - Portugal vs. Bahrain; 1:40 PM - Argentina vs. Uruguay.

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006 news

PRK Souths claimed the National Soccer League (NSL) minor premiership by thrashing Alois Kingsley Madang Fox 5-1 at the Laiwaden Oval in Madang yesterday.

Souths Solomon Island imports midfielder Abraham Iniga and striker Jack Samani tore Madang Fox defence to pieces to score.

Both Iniga and Samani scored doubles to have the minor premiership title in their bag.

Souths led by skipper Andrew Lepani display what real football is all about by exhibiting some skilful passes and long-range shot at goal.

Madang Fox fielded a makeshift team who were no match for the skilful Souths outfit.

In fact, the team were assembled last Thursday afternoon following an off-field incident involving their mentor Bob Morris and a staunch support (named) in Port Moresby where they drew with Gelle Hills.

It was the worst performance by the Madang Fox in the semi-professional competition.

The game started slowly until Souths settled to see their midfielder Iniga bullet the opening goal from outside the 18m box to hit the net as Madang Fox goalkeeper Daniel Wato watched helplessly to lead 1-0.

At the restart of the play, Madang Fox lost possession of the ball when Souths capitalised and skipper Lepani set his striker Samani to score the first of his two goals to lead 2-0.

Madang Fox stand-in skipper Terence Sisu and Notto Jake tried their best but they could find the net.

They got good assistance from Alfred Reu and Adrian Komu until replaced but these were not enough.

In the second half, Madang tried every trick in the book but could not convert their opportunities into points.

Souths proved that they were serious contenders for the NSL champions tag when Iniga collected his double through a header following a good cross from his skipper Lepani to extend the lead 3-0.

Frustration crept into the game with Madang Fox starting to employ dirty tactics but Souths kept their cool to score another through Samani.

Samani scored his second goal after he was brought down in the penalty box by Raymond Bailey to put the game in the bag.

The Port Moresby-based team were not satisfied with the scoreline to see their Kimbe import David Muta put the game out of their opponents' reach 5-0.

But Madang started to inject some new blood in Joshua Kombuka, Rodney Charles and Mol Buran to see them start attacking the Souths' goalmouth.

The substitution in the final 20 minutes paid off when Jake scored to save them from embarrassment to trail 5-1.

In the early match, Gelle Hills spoilt the planned-party for Tuguba Laitepo Blue Kumuls beating them in a penalty 1-0.

The Solomon Islands Bilikiki Boys bowed out of FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Rio De Janeiro 2006 with their heads held high despite losing 14-2 to pre-tournament favourites Portugal. Bilikiki coach Eddie Omokirio could only watch on as his inexperienced side struggled to cope with the highly professional and experienced Portuguese side.

Although they knew they were much better than the Solomon Islands, the Portuguese showed their opponents all due respect in claiming an easy 14-2 win in their last group stage game at Rio de Janeiro 2006. The world and European runners-up will now face Bahrain in a quarter-final clash from which they will expect to progress.

Portugal raced out to an 8-0 lead after 18 minutes as the Solomon Islands fought to gain any sort of foothold on proceedings. Richard Anisua gave the Solomon Islands something to celebrate on 20 minutes and Joe Luwi added a second for the Bilikiki moments later. Portugal were not in a generous mood, however, and scored a further six goals with Madjer scoring 4 times.

The Solomon Islands Bilikiki Boys gave their more illustrious opponents a tough physical encounter but could offer nothing going forward as Portugal flexed their experience and technique to its full capacity.

Eddie Omokirio was philosophical in defeat but said a lack of experience at this level of the game proved decisive.

"It would have been a dream to get to the quarterfinals, but it was not possible. My players are too inexperienced and it will take some time until they are prepared to face such good teams as the ones we have faced here. We did our best and, hopefully, we will play more international competitions from now on. We have not played any international friendly matches before this tournament."

Portugal coach JosÃf© Miguel Mateus paid tribute to his side for their ruthlessly efficient performance.

"We played seriously and respected our rivals the whole time. After all we were fighting for the first place of the group. Our attitude and the team effort really made the difference today. One cannot think that a game like this is easy; we had to make it easy in the field. All I want to do now is to celebrate this victory and relax, recover our team physically, and then think about the next match."

Prolific goalscorer and former European Cup winner with FC Porto, Madjer, echoed his coach's analysis of the game.

"This match could have been more difficult, I think we have made it easy. We faced it like a real challenge, and that is the way it has to be. We have to think of every game as if it were a final match. This team is really strong as a group. We have the same goal, which is to reach the final and fight for the title."

Portugal's emphatic win means they win the group and will face Bahrain in the quarter-finals. In Group C's other fixture Uruguay stumbled to a 3-3 draw with Cameroon before losing on sudden death penalties. The result means that Solomon Islands finish level on points with Uruguay but are eliminated on goal difference.

But the Bilikiki Boys will retain as many good memories as they have left with the Brazilian spectators. Solomon Islands striker, Richard Anisua, said "Portugal definitely is the strongest team in the tournament. Their players are very talented. They will probably be champions. For us, playing such a high-level competition was a good experience. We have learned a lot about beach soccer."

The Solomon Islands Bilikiki Boys have lost their second match of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Rio de Janeiro 2006 after they lost 10-5 to South American giants Uruguay.

Uruguay came out all guns blazing, putting Solomon Islands' keeper Fred Hale under immediate pressure. He was soon picking the ball out of the net too, after a close-range effort from Coco.

The game was more even thereafter, and it was not until six seconds before the end of the first period that Miguel Aguirre doubled the Celeste's lead.

Uruguay gradually built on that advantage in the second period. Henry Koto and Sylvester Rogy each bagged a goal for the island side, but as the match went into the final twelve minutes the score was already 6-2.

Things were not to get any easier for the Bilikiki Boys. Defending deep, they only invited the South Americans onto them and despite another three consolation goals, Eddie Omokirio's men let in another four and found themselves on the end of a 10-5 scoreline by the end.

Uruguay coach Venacio Ramos said, "We knew we needed to win this match in order to keep dreaming of a place in the next stage. The team started well but it lost focus after being ahead in the scoreboard. After our defeat to Portugal, I had told the players that the World Cup was not over for us. We have potential to remain in the tournament."

Solomon Islands defender, Henry Koto, said too many mistakes in team shape led to defeat but added the Bilikiki Boys were looking forward to the Portugal match eagerly.

"It was a very good game. We tried to play the best we could but we had too many mistakes, especially when the ball was out of play. Now we need to focus, study Portugal's team and try to give them the hardest time during the game."

Bilikiki coach, Eddie Omokirio, echoed sentiments that his team shape suffered and suggested this was down to inexperience.

"We had problems positioning ourselves. We did not know how to react to the Uruguayan movements inside the court. Nevertheless, we will keep on fighting in order not be eliminated in the next game. It is possible to win over Portugal because this is football, where everything is possible."