Football Medicine is a key area of focus since the skill-sets and resources available to each Member Association varies greatly. In 2009, OFC introduced the Football First Aid course in Fiji which will be used as a model to develop similar programmes throughout the Pacific.

Fijian Doctor Tharid Ali heads the medical development programme for OFC. Rather than focusing on doctors and other health professionals, OFC aims to upskill coaches at the community and club level who may be responsible for the immediate medical treatment of players.

OFC works closely with Red Cross, St Johns Ambulance and other Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) to deliver the programmes. Key topics include injury prevention, basic first aid and information on social drugs, with participant receiving equipment and resources.

The development programme follows on from a “needs” analysis carried out in three countries namely Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu which identified the necessity to coordinate and maintain football medicine initiatives in the region.

Due to the increasing health problems within the Pacific region, linking football to health programmes is seen as an asset in bringing greater recognition to the game in Oceania. It allows OFC to use football as a tool for social and human development in line with FIFA’s mission of ‘Develop the game, touch the world, build a better future’.

The heightening of health awareness initiatives on diseases such as HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections (STI), dangers of tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse is one of the main aims of OFC.

OFC will continue to look at ways of promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles by working closely alongside Member Associations, local health ministries, NGOs as well as regional and international organisations.