New Caledonia is set to host the OFC Women’s Nations Cup later this year and as part of the legacy for women’s football in the country, the launch of an academy for women is on the cards.

The Federation Calédonienne de Football will partner with FIFA to launch the pilot project which is part of a new programme offered by the FIFA Women’s Football department.

“This is a project being introduced by FIFA through pilots in five different countries worldwide,” OFC Technical Director Patrick Jacquemet said.

“The project will begin at the start of the 2019 school year and the idea is to use the facilities at the CISE in Noumea, and it will initially involve 20-23 young female footballers.”

As well as offering young women an elite pathway, at the same time FCF will launch an academy for boys.

FCF President Steeve Laigle said the performances of the national team at the FIFA U-17 World Cup last year was the start of a new era for New Caledonia football.

“We need to put in place structures which allow our best to work together with a quality coach, and to take part in high level competitions,” Laigle said.

Former Belgium international and FIFA Instructor for women’s football development Anne Noe is in New Caledonia this week to help the federation put the foundations for the women’s football academy in place.