The Fiji Football Association (FFA) has unskilled a number of female coaches through a pair of courses held in the country this month.
Five members of the Fijian women’s national team, Cema Nasau, Jotivini Tabua, Veniana Ranadi, Koleta Likuculacula and Unaisi Tuberi, were among the 20 participants who took part in the OFC C-Licence Course held at the FFA Academy in Suva.
The five-day course included both theory and practical components.
Three female coaches also took part in the Grassroots Coaching Certificate Course held at the same venue.
Likuculacula said the C-Licence, which was facilitated by Margaret Aka from the OFC, is a step towards preparing herself for life after playing.
“For me this is my future. I have a passion for football and now I know it will not end with playing and I will have the opportunity to coach after retiring from football,” she said.
“These five days have developed me and I am going to share what I have learned from here with my teammates.”
At the grassroots course, coaches took the next step in their development.
Among those was Karishma Mala, a mother of four inspired by her children to give back to football in Fiji.
“My daughter and son followed their dad’s footsteps and are crazy about the sport,” she said.
“My journey in football started when we heard about the grassroots development program being held at the Fiji FA Academy and I used to bring my son and daughter to the program.
“It is not easy for me to balance as I have a 3-year-old and also Iook after the accounts of our business, but I am in love with football.”
Mala added that she’s proud to see so many women getting involved in coaching and praised the FFA for their efforts to promote inclusion.
“I’m so proud to be a part of a sport that champions women in football,” she said.
“Fiji FA has been encouraging women to pursue their passion for football, and allowing them to take part in courses to make their dreams a reality.”