OFC President David Chung met with FA General Secretary Alex Horne in London on the occasion of the UEFA Congress and, on behalf of OFC, presented The FA with a commemorative piece of silverware that serves to acknowledge the contribution of the English association to the development of the world game in its milestone year.
“The Football Association was responsible for the founding and initial development of football and its impact is therefore immeasurable,” President Chung says.
“No other country has enjoyed such a long association with the world game and to reach an anniversary of such significance is a hugely impressive achievement.”
OFC’s recognition of The FA’s anniversary continues the close relationship between the pair, a partnership that was strengthened in 2011 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Under the terms of the MOU, The FA assists in the development of football in Oceania by providing technical expertise to help deliver a range of courses across the region.
The agreement has resulted in representatives from The FA travelling to the Pacific to impart their knowledge and President Chung believes such a contribution can only be beneficial to achieving the goals of OFC’s long-term vision.
“We have built up a strong relationship with The FA in recent times and we are certain that this collaboration will result in many positive outcomes for football throughout the region,” he says.
The Football Association was formed in 1863 and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the professional and amateur game in England. The commemorations for its 150th anniversary will cap off with a gala dinner on October 26 at The Grand Connaught Rooms in London, the very site where a century and a half earlier The FA was founded at a meeting which paved the way for the global game we all know and love today.
The FA is using its landmark year to underline its not-for-profit commitment to supporting football for such a long period of time.
“Our 150th year is a major opportunity for us to showcase our work to the whole country and the wider world,” FA Chairman David Bernstein says.
“From humble beginnings to today’s global spectacle, we can be proud of this country’s contribution to football.”

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