Led by David Firisua, head of the OFC Competitions Department, with Pure Nena, an OFC consultant from the Fédération Tahitienne de Football, and in close collaboration with VFF President Lambert Maltock, CEO Fabien Hoeppe and competitions manager Robert Calvo, a detailed assessment of VFF competitions was undertaken.
Key to the mission was the strong desire of VFF to strengthen its national league structure and ensure that participating clubs adopt practices which make sure of the league’s longevity.
“The O-League is a major driving factor for VFF’s national soccer league with clubs always looking to improve every year,” Calvo says.
“As such, each has taken on the task of establishing a strong focus on youth development.”
Firisua says the Vanuatu national league has plenty of potential and believes the federation is on the right track.
“The major components of what makes a national league are present in their various forms within the current set-up,” he says.
“But these need to be formally translated into regulations which govern all aspects of their operation.”
Other areas of focus during the OFC visit included the organisation of VFF in regards to O-League matches and an assessment of the state of Port Vila stadium, in preparation for the OFC Nations Cup in November 2011 (should Vanuatu qualify from the Pacific Games in New Caledonia).
The OFC Competitions Strategy 2011-2018 was also presented and a visit made to the VFF Academy, where the U-17 national team is preparing for the OFC U-17 Championship, to be held in Auckland from January 8 to 19.