The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has taken another significant stride towards strengthening leadership and organisational excellence across the Pacific football community.
General Secretaries and CEOs from Member Associations (MAs) gathered for the second OFC Executive Programme Workshop of 2025, from 31 October to 1 November at the Home of Football, Te Kahu O’ Kiwa, in Auckland.
The workshop, delivered in collaboration with UEFA through the UEFA Together Programme, aims to empower General Secretaries on their leadership journey, strengthening their capabilities, fostering organisational growth, and providing a platform for knowledge exchange and shared learning.
The Executive Programme directly aligns with the OFC Strategy’s top goal of leaving a legacy in football through capability building, the workshop continued OFC’s commitment to professional development and working closely with its Member Associations’ leaders.
The programme and its content’s developed in collaboration with the General Secretaries and CEOs to ensure it is tailored to their needs, and delivers tangible benefits for both personal development and organisational performance ensuring a lasting impact.
Participants engaged in a series of interactive and practical sessions focused on key areas of leadership and organisational performance, including the role human resources plays in fostering a high-performance organisation.
A key highlight of the session focused on how Member Associations can embed high performance into their daily operations. Discussions explored practical models for enhancing team management effectiveness, fostering psychological safety, and developing leadership capabilities at every level of the organisation.
“As a new general secretary, the workshop was a powerful step in my leadership journey. It deepened my understanding of what it takes to build a high-performing organisation. Sharing insights with fellow general secretaries reminded me that great leadership isn’t about having all the answers but about growing together to create a lasting impact.” Reflected Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) General Secretary Mii Savage.
A collaborative session involving General Secretaries and Technical Directors was held to contribute insights and feedback for the development of the new OFC Strategy, 2027-2030, ensuring alignment and shared ownership across the region.
Another standout session challenged participants to shift from constant busyness to purposeful performance. It offered practical strategies for intentional weekly personal planning, prioritising high-impact work, making meetings meaningful, and aligning demanding tasks with peak energy levels. The session inspired a mindset shift toward smarter, more focused leadership that sustains high performance over time.
The three-year collaboration with UEFA through the UEFA Together programme shows the strong and growing relationship between the two confederations. During the workshop, UEFA’s Chris Milnes provided an insightful update on the programme’s progress.
UEFA Together continues to support OFC through targeted capacity-building initiatives and the delivery of U-15 development tournaments, reinforcing a shared commitment to long-term football development.
OFC Chief Operating Officer Fred Guillemont acknowledged the significance of the ongoing collaboration, stating:
“The Executive Programme for General Secretaries is a vital platform for our Member Association leaders to share knowledge, strengthen leadership capability, and collectively shape the future of football in Oceania. Our partnership with UEFA continues to provide valuable perspectives that enrich our regional approach.”
As OFC continues to invest in leadership development, the Executive Programme remains a cornerstone of its commitment to building stronger, more sustainable football organisations, ensuring that the legacy of growth, professionalism, and high performance continues to benefit the entire Oceania football community.