In attendance were CIFA President Lee Harmon and fellow executive committee members, Minister of Sport the Honourable Mark Brown, a number of local football club representatives and special guest, former Football Fern Maia Jackman.
Harmon got proceedings underway by acknowledging the support from stakeholders such as FIFA, the Cook Islands Government, the Oceania Football Confederation and local football clubs.
The event not only marked the launch of the national league, but also marked an opportunity for FIFA-supplied football equipment to be distributed among the participating teams.
“We are delighted to receive this equipment from and training gear,” CIFA chairperson of women’s football Moeroa Tamangaro says.
“For our clubs here in Rarotonga, I would like to urge each of you to utilise these resources for the benefit of our women’s football development.”
For former New Zealand international Jackman, seeing women’s football under the spotlight in the Pacific was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.
“I am passionate about women’s sport and in particular, women’s football,” the New Zealand Football Women’s Development Manager says.
“It was a no-brainer for me to be part of this launch and have a good relationship with Oceania.
“I am delighted to see that there is such passion to help football in the Cook Islands. I have close links to the Cook Islands with several friends who are Cook Islanders, and my partner who is from Vaipae, Aitutaki.
“I already feel a part of this country,” she concludes.
While development of the women’s game is the overall aim, a welcome side effect the Government would love to see is simply seeing more Cook Islanders getting active.
“I encourage our youth, women and parents to get involved in sports for a healthy lifestyle,” says the Honourable Brown.
In partnership with the Cook Islands Football Association, FIFA is playing a key role in the launching of the women’s league in the Cook Islands through it’s Women’s Football Development Programme.
CIFA has extended its gratitude to FIFA, Honourable Minister of Sport Mark Brown, former Football Fern Maia Jackmand and the Cook Islands football clubs for their continued support of women’s football development in the Cook Islands.
For more on Cook Islands football go to www.cookislandsfootball.com

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