The annual awards were established in 1988 and is decided by a panel of experts that includes national team coaches, ex-players, technical directors and media drawn from around the Oceania region.
The award takes into account performances for club and country between January and December of 2012 only.
The shortlists are dominated by New Zealand footballers in both categories with former men’s winner Ryan Nelsen recognised for his performances with Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers.
The other nine nominees have never won the award before with Nelsen’s compatriots Marco Rojas, Jeremy Brockie, Chris Wood, Winston Reid and Michael McGlinchey also included.
Georges Gope-Fenepej, who helped guide New Caledonia to the OFC Nations Cup final before signing for Ligue 1 club ESTAC Troyes, is the only New Caledonian to make the cut.
Tahitian pair Nicolas Vallar and Alvin Tehau are recognised for their contribution to club and international football with AS Dragon and AS Tefana respectively.
Solomon Islands international Benjamin Totori turned in top performances at the OFC Nations Cup before signing his first professional club contract with the Wellington Phoenix.
The OFC Women’s Player of the Year was established in 2008 with Rosie White of New Zealand the first recipient, Ali Riley then won back-to-back awards and the 2011 winner was Football Ferns defender Rebecca Smith.
Smith returns to the 2012 women’s shortlist, with compatriots Amber Hearn, Ria Percival, Sarah Gregorious, Katie Hoyle and Abby Erceg also included.
Papua New Guinea stalwarts Daisy Winas and Deslyne Siniu are nominated once again, while New Caledonia’s Kim Maguire, who played in France with Sporting Toulon Var and Olympique de Noumea, makes the shortlist for the first time.
Tanya Bryce of Samoa and standout goalkeeper, Lupe Likiliki, of Tonga, round off the 11 women’s nominees.
The voting system mirrors that of the FIFA Ballon D’Or and the winners will be announced Monday 18 November, 2013.
Ends
Extra Information
Men’s Nominees
Georges GOPE-FENEPEJ – Esperance Sportive Troyes Aube Champagne (ESTAC Troyes)/New Caledonia
Ryan NELSEN – Tottenham Hotspur/Queens Park Rangers/All Whites, OlyWhites
Nicolas VALLAR – AS Dragon/Tahiti
Chris WOOD – WBA (Birmingham City/Bristol City/Millwall)/All Whites, OlyWhites
Marco ROJAS – Melbourne Victory/All Whites, OlyWhites
Michael McGLINCHEY – Central Coast Mariners/All Whites, OlyWhites
Benjamin TOTORI – Wellington Phoenix/Solomon Islands
Winston REID – West Ham United/All Whites
Jeremy BROCKIE – Wellington Phoenix/All Whites
Alvin TEHAU – AS Tefana/Tahiti
Women’s Nominees
Rebecca SMITH – VfL Wolfsburg/Football Ferns
Deslyne SINIU – Rapatona FC/Papua New Guinea
Kim MAGUIRE – Olympique de Noumea, Toulon/New Caledonia
Tanya BRYCE – Samoa U-20, Samoa
Katie HOYLE – SC 07 Bad Neuenahr/Football Ferns
Ria PERCIVAL – FFC Frankfurt/Football Ferns
Daisy WINAS – PNG Power FC/Papua New Guinea
Abby ERCEG – Adelaide United/Football Ferns
Lupe LIKILIKI – Fasi moe Afi FC/Tonga
Sarah GREGORIOUS – FC 07 Bad Neuenahr/Football Ferns
Amber HEARN – FF USV Jena/Football Ferns
Winners to be announced by media release on Monday 18 November, 2013.

Share