The inaugural conference, involving around 800 participants from 17 Pacific countries, was officially opened at TelstraClear Pacific Centre after a traditional Maori Powhiri and welcoming speeches from Manukau Mayor Len Brown, OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas, French Minister Jean-Claude Brioult, FIFA Ambassador Christian Karembeu, local Kaumatua and others.
PYASC Chairman Tai Nicholas says the newly announced funding is available through FIFA and is attached to OFC’s ‘Football for Life’ programme.
“We have funds of $US 100,000 to assist organisations and projects that will link sports with positive social development,” said Nicholas.
“In the same way that sport teaches young people to be competitive, this conference is like a competition as participants will need to listen intently to the guest speakers and have productive meetings so they can come up with original ideas.”
The $US 100,000 will be divided into five lots of $US 20,000. The four best strategies from the Pacific Islands will get $US 20,000 while the remaining money will be split into five segments of $US 4,000 for the most promising New Zealand projects.
The six-day event will involve seminars, workshops and interactive roundtables where country delegations will draft concrete action plans to take back and implement in their region.
At the end of the week, each delegation will present their best plan to their respective Minister of Sport and submit it to be considered for the OFC funding.
Franck Castillo, PYASC CEO and OFC Head of Social Responsibility, will follow up each of the projects following the conclusion of the conference.
To download the complete programme [English] click here
To download the complete programme [French] click here
To download the participant brochure [English]: click here
To download the participant brochure [French]: click here