Three members of the Fiji Kulas have spent an action-packed week in Auckland as part of the OFC Player Placement Programme,  an initiative that brings to life the OFC Football Strategy by giving Pacific players access to new environments, elite competition, and world-class mentoring.

Hosted by Eastern Suburbs AFC, one of New Zealand’s top clubs, the placement gave the players a first-hand look at the standards, structure, and intensity of a professional football environment. The programme’s goal is to accelerate player growth by combining high-level football challenges with guided support from experienced coaches and mentors.

Among the participating players were Caroline Qalivere, a proud representative of Fiji at U-16, U-19, and senior levels; Adi Litia Bakaniceva, the 2024 Fiji FA Women’s Footballer of the Year and U-20 national team captain; and Maria Veronika, a key player in Fiji’s silver-medal run at the 2022 OFC Women’s Nations Cup. They were joined by manager Tulia Cawanikawai, who supported the players throughout the week.

Throughout their stay, the group took part in small-group technical sessions led by Eastern Suburbs head coach Adam Thurston, observed Auckland FC Reserves’ training, and connected with fellow Pacific talents Everton O’Leary (Samoa) and Semi Nabenu (Fiji) who are both thriving in the Auckland FC Reserves setup. The Kulas also attended National League women’s and men’s matches, soaking in the atmosphere and professionalism of top-tier New Zealand football.

“The idea is to give players a taste of a different level  by placing them into competitive environments, with local coaches and strong club systems around them, we’re confident this will contribute to their long-term development, and perhaps open doors for future opportunities in the region.” said Dave Wright, OFC High Performance Consultant “

Eastern Suburbs AFC has a proud history of excellence in the women’s game and were Women’s National League Champions (2022), NRFL Premier Champions (2021), and Kate Sheppard Cup Winners in 2019, making them an ideal host for the placement.

This experience is one Bakaniceva will never forget:

“I feel super ecstatic, honoured, and grateful to be given this opportunity to showcase my God-given talent and represent my country,” she said. “Hopefully they can see the quality and talent that we Fijians have.”

The week in Auckland was made possible by OFC’s commitment to player development and opportunity for talented footballers across Oceania.