After a two-year pilot phase, the FIFA initiative will be rolled out across the Pacific from 2012-2014 and aims to help football’s national governing bodies reach their maximum potential both on and off the field.
Representatives from OFC’s 11 Member Associations (MAs), including Presidents, CEOs and Technical Directors, gathered at the Pullman Hotel to learn more about the programme from a team of FIFA officials led by Thierry Regenass, Director of Member Associations and Development.
“A lot of planning has gone into this seminar and now we are delighted to be here,” said Regenass, one of five FIFA staff visiting from Zurich.
“The PERFORMANCE programme has been carefully designed to help Member Associations go to that next level in terms of professionalism in managing the game.”
Regenass and his team explained how associations can apply for tailor-made projects in a variety of areas including marketing, communications, IT, club development, finance, management, social responsibility, event management and infrastructure.
“This seminar gives us an opportunity to speak about the programme but also, more importantly, to listen to each Member Association and the unique set of challenges they face.”
With a Technical Directors’ Workshop and grassroots festival held in conjunction with the seminar, OFC President David Chung believes the three days have been invaluable.
“It is exciting to bring the OFC family together and spend time discussing the key elements of developing football across the region,” Chung said. “We extend a warm welcome to the FIFA team and look forward to working with them to ensure the outcomes will be of significant benefit to each Member Association.”
Frederic Guillemont has been appointed as FIFA Senior Manager for PERFORMANCE and has a wealth of knowledge about Oceania after working at OFC for eight years as Head of Finance and Deputy General Secretary before leaving the confederation to become CEO of the Homeless World Cup.
The French native says it will take commitment from the MAs to ensure the programme is successful.
“PERFORMANCE is not just a two-day workshop, it is a one-year programme that requires a great deal of dedication,” Guillemont said. “The best way to describe it is as a partnership. FIFA will work hard to provide expertise and tools at strategic levels while the MAs will in turn need to ensure they meet all of the key targets.”
Guillemont will work closely with FIFA Head of Development Programmes Cyril Loisel and FIFA Development Manager for Oceania Eva Pasquier, who also attended the seminar, while Auckland-based FIFA Development Officer Glenn Turner will act as the link between the world governing body and each association.
FIFA Technical Director Jean-Michel Benezet was also on hand to talk more about the three pillars of the technical programme including grassroots, education and elite.
“Flexibility is important,” Benezet said . “There are different challenges for each country that might relate to geography, culture, climate, means of communication or levels of infrastructure. It is our job to work with each MA, and in particular the Technical Directors, to design a programme that caters to their specific needs.”
The PERFORMANCE programme is one of several FIFA development initiatives including Goal Football, Special Projects, Education and Technical Activities and the Financial Assistance Programme. It will be implemented across Oceania beginning next year.