OFC News

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Inc., a non for profit organization, is the regional body mandated by FIFA to develop Soccer in the South Pacific.

OFC has 15 national football associations as members and is involved in international events and programmes within these 15 countries.

We are requiring an Accounts and Finance Manager (full time position).

Reporting to senior management the main duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

 - Day to day management of the accounts and finance department (only one direct report)

 - Developing financial policies, procedures and internal control

 - Month end reporting and analysis (including cash flow)

- Year end reporting and preparation of annual audit

- Budgeting and costs analysis

- Payroll

 - GST and FBT tax returns

 - Relationship management with OFC stakeholders and various departments.

- Advisory role to senior management Key skills and attributes of the successful candidate will include:

- a strong fundamental accounting background with an understanding of accounting principles and practices

– qualifications would be an advantage (open to recent graduates) but experience would be taken into consideration

 - Advanced Microsoft excel and powerpoint skills

 - Able to prepare and present well focused financial reports and data analysis

- Attention to detail and works to a high level of accuracy

- A good sense of humour with a strong team ethic

- Good communication skills and be able to work in a young and multi-cultural environment

 – requirement to learn French as part of the position.

- Be able to work under pressure and deadline in a fast paced environment.

 - A full driving license

Salary: up to NZ$50,000 per annum + company car provided depending on qualifications and experience.

To submit your application (CV + cover letter) please send an email to Frederic Guillemont, OFC Deputy General Secretary, Frederic@oceaniafootball.com - alternatively for a confidential discussion phone on 09 / 525 81 64.

(OFC website www.oceaniafootball.com )

Applications to be received no later than 15 May 2008.

Only people with the right to work in New Zealand may apply for this position.

For advice on obtaining New Zealand Work or Residence visas visit the New Zealand Immigration Service (www.immigration.govt.nz)

PAGO PAGO - The Football Federation American Samoa (FFAS) Futsal Kids programme kicked off on Saturday morning with over 100 youngsters attending two venues at Kanana Fou and Pago Park.

Over 100 boys and girls from age 6 to 13 were part of the FFAS Development Programme Futsal Kids and enjoyed the opportunity to learn new skills and just have fun.

Futsal is the officially recognised 5 aside game which is extensively used across the world to develop techniques and skills of young players.

Played on the small court or field, Futsal is FIFA's small sided game which was developed in South America, blossomed in Brazil and is now played across the globe.

FFAS CEO Tavita Taumua was very happy with the outcome of the days programme.

"I think its great to see the interest that the kids now have in football and Futsal has a major role to play in the development of the 11 side game here in American Samoa," Taumua told FFAS media.

"This has been seen in Brazil for decades where the Brazilian Super Stars such as Ronaldino and World Player of the Year Kaka all learnt their trade before moving to the big field as teenagers and its hoped Futsal can have a similar effect in American Samoa".

The programme will be held again each Saturday morning over the next month at 8:00 in the morning until 10:00.

Story courtesy of FFAS Media

PAGO PAGO - Its bright, its dynamic and symbolic of a bright new future for football in American Samoa and has already won unanimous approval from football clubs across the territory.

When the wrapping paper was lifted off Federation Football American Samoa (FFAS) at its inaugural congress in Pago Pago last year the only item missing was a new logo for the fledgling federation.

That's all changed as FFAS released its new logo publicly last week at its Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Football coordinator David Brand said the new design captured the spirit and hope of brighter things to come for football in American Samoa.

"Its very colourful and features many of the cultural symbols unique to American Samoa - you have the football surrounded by the kava bowl with a slim-line new design - I think its a good design," Brand said.

FFAS spokesman Tavita Taumua said the design was the brainchild of Veni Sotoaga an artist at the Department of Education.

"There was a need to distinguish football from American Football or Gridiron and this is why we have a football on the logo.

The kava bowl and sticks are symbolic of an orator, a chief, who uses these items to symbolise when it is his turn to speak.

You can also see Samoan tatoos behind the football," Taumua said.

Taumua said Sopoaga was the ideal candidate to design the new FFAS logo because of his involvement with the local Fagasa Football club.

Story courtesy FFAS Media...

PAGO PAGO – Football Federation American Samoa (FFAS) has a new general secretariat following the completion of elections held in the territory at the FFAS Extraordinary Congress last weekend. Newly elected FFAS President Iuli Alex Godinet took office in the first elections for the national body since 2005.

Godinet headed off four other candidates in the race for the top job that included Pou Supapo, Tony Langkilde, Malia Perelini and Maselino Tautu.

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter congratulated Iuili Alex Godinet and his executive on the election victory and described his joy at a bright future for the game in American Samoa.

“Soccer in American Samoa was close to the abyss in 2005 with severe problems leading FIFA to set up a Normalisation Committee and to conclude that a general reform could only be based on the foundation of a new football structure, the FFAS.

It is now done and I personally rejoice of the progress achieved in the past two years with the completion of the FIFA Goal programme-financed headquarters ad playing field, the launch of the league and the growth of the dissemination of football in the Territory,” President Blatter said.

OFC President/FIFA Vice-President Reynald Temarii extended his warm congratulations to Godinet and his new executive members on their successful election.

“I offer my total support and any assistance to the FFAS President and his executive to continue the excellent work of the FFAS Normalisation Committee.

During the past two and a half years, football in American Samoa has with good governance, professional management, close financial controls, detailed planning and observance of FIFA and OFC statutes and regulations, emerged as a member association with a bright future.

American Samoa have truly wonderful facilities that with well conceived programmes will take football to new heights in the foreseeable future, particularly for the youth of American Samoa.

I extend my sincere and warm thanks to Pou Supapo, Ben Larsen, Maselino Tautu, and Maria Dickey of the Normalisation Committee for their hard work in rebuilding football in this country and I wish the FFAS President and his executive my sincere congratulations and best wishes for the future,” Temarii said.

Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Deputy General Secretary Frederic Guillemont and FIFA Development Officer Glenn Turner were on hand to witness the historical event that brought to an official end to the administration of football in American Samoa under the steadying hand of a Normalization Committee.

FIFA and OFC installed a Normalization Committee in 2005 after the then governing body for football in American Samoa – the American Samoa Football Association (ASFA) – split into two separate associations each purporting to hold responsibility for administering football in the islands.

For the new FFAS President, a new general secretariat, comprising Silasila Samuelu, Reti Seigafo, Sandra Herrera and Mina Urhle.

FFAS CEO Tavita Taumua expressed delight at the outcome of the elections.

“Our election marks another historic step forwards for football development in American Samoa and reinforces the progress established in the past two years under the leadership of the Normalisation Committee and the outstanding support of FIFA and OFC.

FFAS extends thanks to OFC for its contribution and support that OFC has readily extended to bring harmony to the football family in American Samoa that has led to these elections,” Taumua said.

The elections were conducted under a shadow of a possible legal action after the fledgling FFAS was served papers challenging the authority of the committee to conduct the election.

The challenge was filed by ousted members of the previous executive.

Despite this outgoing Normalization Committee Chairperson Pou Supapo congratulated Iuili Alex Godinet on his election victory saying he would bring strong leadership to the federation adding that she was proud of the achievements of the Normalization Committee during a challenging period for football.

In an earlier interview Supapo said the completion of FFAS FIFA Goal Project would fill her with a sense of pride and satisfaction for a long time to come.

“I was so excited when the Goal Project opened. Christian Karembeu was there and he was a big hit with the children, who didn’t know who he was at first, but once they discovered he was an islander like them, from New Caledonia, and won the FIFA World Cup, there was a relationship there.

For me, every time I drive past our FIFA Goal Project, I will always smile and be able to say to myself, ‘I had something to do with that’ and feel proud of what we have achieved.”

Football Federation American Samoa (FFAS)

President Mr. Iuili Alex Godinet

Vice-President Ms. Sandra Herrera

Treasurer Ms. Mina Urhle

Executive Mr. Silasila Samuelu

Executive Mr. Reti Seigafo

Auckland - American Samoa football has long been a curiosity for football fans around the world with most of that intrigue based around the tiny territory and its lowly FIFA ranking. It's last engagement with the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Qualifiers/XIII South Pacific Games - Samoa 2007 once again left it on the wrong end of some hefty scorelines.

But much has changed since the XIII South Pacific Games. Gone is the American Samoa Football Association (ASFA) and in its place Football Federation American Samoa (FFAS) following a Founding Congress called by the 27 clubs that make up the countries football structure. OFC Media caught up with FFAS Chairperson, the straight-talking no-nonsense Mrs. Pou Supapo, who shed some light on the unique challenges facing one of FIFA and OFC's smallest member associations.
 

FIFA and OFC had worked hard to provide a roadmap toward an elected administrative body in the country after years of a Normalisation Committee charged with restoring a professional administration to how football was run with Normalisation Committee chairperson Mrs. Pou Supapo pleased to announce that FFAS’s inaugural Congress would be held on December 12^th, 2007.

Chairperson Pou Supapo is pleased with developments over the past two years and – as the only woman to hold the top job in a member association, Supapo has overseen a dramatic change in the way football is viewed in the territory.

But the challenges were not just football ones; Supapo was an interloper because she was a woman in a culture where there is a clear delineation of responsibility according to gender. Men make all the decisions, women stay at home.

“People say everything is equal, but that is not the case in practice. At times I felt like walking away, but I wanted to change things for football in American Samoa. We have had political problems here for nearly ten years and it did take a strain on my family and work.”

Supapo is a Lieutenant in the American Samoa police force and will complete 20 years service in 2008. Her involvement with football came about because the two sub-stations entered local football competitions as part of a regime designed in the absence of a physical fitness programme. Police officers, their families, wives, relatives, would all combine and enter as a club in the local competitions.

She says that in American Samoa there are only three choices for young people: a career in the US Military, a job in American Samoa’s tuna industry, or become a talented American Football player.

“There are nearly 200,000 people of American Samoa background in the US military so this is a very real career option for our people. Understand that American Samoa exports only one product – tuna – so the other career option is to take a job in the local cannery for $140.00USD per week. The final option is to become very talented at American Football and get a college scholarship in mainland USA,” Supapo says.

In 2004 a census in American Samoa revealed that of the territories 68,000 inhabitants, only 11,000 were eligible to vote, illustrating the struggle FFAS has in selecting a team of high quality to compete within OFC. With teenagers aspiring to join the military, player retention is an even tougher prospect with most young people joining up with the US military shortly after their 18^th birthday.

“The military option comes with a range of benefits including pension, free transportation, medical and education advantages and so FFAS faces incredible challenges in building up our strength in football. But football has some advantages that other sports do not,” Supapo says.

First and foremost of these is that due to the success of the FIFA Goal Project at Pago Pago Park, football is the only sport on the island that begins at grassroots elementary level, enabling children and parents to attend matches as part of a family process. No other sports code has an organised structure until high school. Supapo says the idea of family participation links in strongly with the American Samoa culture itself, where community and spending time together are intrinsic values.

“Football is very popular amongst children and parents alike and there is a cultural appeal that families in American Samoa can easily identify with. Sports like baseball and American Football don’t have this quality.”

Supapo says the opening of Pago Pago Stadium was by far her most emotional day after two years at the helm of ASFA as it was then, and she will bear no malice if one day she finds herself no longer involved in football. For a country that did not have a venue for eleven-a-side football until recently, the positive effect cannot be understated. American Samoa even participated in FIFA Fairplay Day as hundreds of children gathered to acknowledge that football was not just about winning or results – it was about understanding the spirit in which football is played.

“I was so excited when the Goal Project opened. Christian Karembeu was there and he was a big hit with the children who didn’t know who he was at first, but once they discovered he was an islander like them, from New Caledonia, and won the FIFA World Cup, there was a relationship there. It is much harder for children from American Samoa to identify with a sports hero from mainland US than it is an islander. For me, every time I drive past our FIFA Goal Project, I will always smile and be able to say to myself, ‘I had something to do with that’ and feel proud of what we have achieved.”

Christian Karembeu’s appearance at Pago Pago Park left a happy ambience in American Samoa with most of the territories big heroes in American Football virtual strangers to the island.

“Christian is an Oceania hero, and FIFA’s good work has left other sports feeling a sense of jealousy. FIFA has given a lot back to FFAS whereas other athletes and codes that have recruited talented players have not given anything back. There are a lot of American Samoan NFL players, but they have little to do with the island,” Supapo says.

The Pago Pago Park complex now hosts FFAS’s men’s and women’s football competitions.

PAGO PAGO - As part of the approved FIFA Roadmap activities in collaboration with Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) to restore football under an elected administration in American Samoa, a Founding Congress of the Football Federation of American Samoa (FFAS) was held on Saturday 3^rd November 2007.

The Founding Congress recognized that football in American Samoa had regained its credibility over the past two years and that FIFA, OFC and the Normalization Committee considered that the normalization period had established the harmonious platform for the local football community to restore its equal standing among FIFA's 208 member associations.

In accordance with FIFA and OFC approved criteria, among the 27 clubs registered with ASFA Normalization Committee for 2007 football activities, 25 clubs were eligible to vote at the FFAS Founding Congress. However 2 registered clubs did not attend the Founding Congress leaving procedural matters to be voted on by delegates representing 23 clubs

Following an opening prayer by Normalisation Committee member Maselino Tautu, Chairperson Ms Pou Supapo formally opened the Founding Congress by acknowledging the tremendous support provided by the clubs to reach this stage of the Roadmap activities – to “move football forwards in the territory for the real benefit of the youth of today and tomorrow”.

A roll call and appointment of scrutineers followed then an activity report presented by the Normalization Committee that illustrated milestones and achievements during the past two years. Throughout the presentation it was clearly evident of the clubs support and contributions for football to be recognized as a well organized, professional and innovative sport.

Moving onto the business proceedings, FFAS Founding Congress delegates were presented with a list of new members of FFAS which had been approved by the Normalisation Committee that satisfied the criteria set out by FIFA, the new FFAS Statutes and the new FFAS  Standing orders of the congress.

90% of the Founding Congress delegates and subsequently FFAS members formally approved these items presented by the normalization committee, and therefore FFAS was created.

At this time and with a clear mandate from the FFAS members, Chairperson Ms Pou Supapo confirmed that the date for the Inaugural Congress of the Football Federation American Samoa would be held on Wednesday 12^th December 2007.

A number of club delegates expressed their sincere thanks to FIFA, OFC, Normalisation Committee and staff for their combined efforts to reach this milestone in the development of football in American Samoa looking forward to harmony and a solid football family for the future.

FFAS NC Chairperson Ms Pou Supapo in closing the Founding Congress thanked the members for their attendance, support and expressions of solidarity for the future development and growth of the federation.

Story courtesy Football Federation American Samoa (FFAS) 

PAGO PAGO - Konica FC have taken command of Pool 1 in the national Men's Competition in Pago Pago following the latest round of fixtures played last weekend. Konica FC's 100% winning record was maintained thanks to a 4-0 victory over Manuula Heat coupled with Peace Brother's astonishing 0-2 reversal against FC SKBC that saw last week's table-toppers slipping into second place.

Fagasa closed the gap on Peace Brothers to just two points after a 7-0 win over struggling Tafuna Jets 2. Pago Youth stay in the hunt for a top two finish with a comfortable 6-0 victory over winless Flame On. Positions two through to six remain ultra competitive with three rounds still remaining before the finalists for the semi-finals are discovered.

The situation in Pool 2 remains equally intriguing with Utueli Youth continuing its charge toward the top two after a convincing 5-2 win over Autali. Tafuna Jets keep the blowtorch close on the table-topping Utueli after a narrow 2-1 win over Konica Airbase. Pansas 3-0 win over Ilaoa & Toomata in tandem with Pago Eagles easy 7-0 win over bottom-placed Aua Old School leaves the competition for semi-final spots wide open.

Matches in the national Men's and Women's competitions were transferred from the FIFA Goal Project facility at Pago Park to Kanana Fou temporarily with the founding congress of the American Samoa Football Federation (ASFF) scheduled to take place this weekend.

Round five fixtures scheduled for this weekend have consequently been postponed.

In the Women's Competition, Black Rose retained their 100% winning record with a 3-0 victory over Tafuna Jets. The race for second spot is far from clear cut with Pansa and Utueli tied on 9 points with Pago Girls and Fagasa in 4th and 5th place on 7 points.

Tafuna Jets and Lion Heart sit back in mid-table on 6 points-a-peice with the bottom three teams headed by Brave Heart FC on 3 points followed by Kip McGrath and Tafuna Jets 2 yet to record a single point.

FOOTBALL FEDERATION OF AMERICAN SAMOA (FFAS)  

SENIOR MEN’S COMPETITION – POOL 1  

Standings-   

Results: Fagasa 7, Tafuna Jets 0; FC SKBC 2, Peace Brothers 0; Pago Youth 6, Flame On 0; Konica FC 4, Manuula Heat 0. 

FOOTBALL FEDERATION OF AMERICAN SAMOA (FFAS)  

SENIOR MEN’S COMPETITION – POOL 2  

Standings-