The Cook Islands will compete in the event for the first time in Auckland from April 9 to 14 and will do battle with hosts New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia for a place at the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Valamaka is joined on the management staff by assistant Michelle Paiti, manager Mosman Baker and physio Charleen Silcock.
“This is the first time the Cook Islands are going to participate in the U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and we have set a high standard for these players,” Paiti says.
“We need to be competitive against the other participating countries, who are all ranked higher than us.”
The bulk of the 18 players selected hail from Rarotonga and have undergone nearly two months of training to ensure they will compete well in Auckland.
Squad members from the outer islands of Aitutaki and Atiu have also followed a strict training schedule while those living in New Zealand are being monitored by coach Valamaka, who is based in Auckland.
The U-17 Women’s World Cup is held once every two years and Oceania had the honour of hosting the first ever edition when New Zealand staged the event in 2008.
Cook Islands squad for OFC U-17 Women’s Championship
Maeva CARR (Titikaveka/New Zealand)
Lee COX (New Zealand)
Temata HARMON (Tupapa)
Brooke MILLER (Titikaveka/New Zealand)
Rai NGANU (Tupapa)
Moeroa NOOTAI (Tupapa)
Tuakana NOOVAO (Tupapa)
Jessica PUIRI (Avatiu)
June PUNUA (Atiu)
Mona TAIO (Arorangi)
Edna TEIO (Nikao)
Tepaeru TOKA (Aitutaki)
Louana TREGO (Titikaveka)
Tyrina TREGO (Titikaveka)
Teiti TUPUNA (Avatiu)
Linade UNUKA (Arorangi)
Imelda VAKAI(Takuvaine)
Jade VALAMAKA (New Zealand)
Non-travelling reserve:
Leiana TEMATA (Titikaveka)
For more on Cook Islands football go to www.cookislandsfootball.com

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