Oceania Football Confederation recently delivered the second Goalkeeping B Licence course in Auckland, bringing together 19 coaches from across the region with five having travelled from outside New Zealand to attend. This marked the first time the course has welcomed international participants, representing Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and the Solomon Islands.
“To have passionate coaches from other nations attend has been an incredibly positive step. Last year’s inaugural GK B Licence only had New Zealand based participants, so having five from around the region this time is simply amazing. It’s not easy to get to this level, as candidates must already hold a GK C Licence which not many coaches hold in the islands.” said Chris Marsh (OFC Education Consultant).
The five day course combined theory and practical sessions, all designed to strengthen coaching capabilities and provide a more holistic view of the modern goalkeeper. Key themes included having a thorough coaching process, match analysis and preparation, self reflection, and the use of outfield players to create realistic game scenarios.
“We’ve got a real focus on match realism. For many of these coaches, working closely with outfielders is a new experience. It really helps bring their plans to life and better prepares goalkeepers for the demands of the game. Although challenging at first, the improvement over the week was remarkable. This approach mirrors global trends and is crucial for the modern game.” added James Bannatyne (OFC Goalkeeping Development Consultant).
Interactive theory sessions focused on developing structured session plans, creating optimal learning environments, and understanding the goalkeeper’s psychological and tactical demands. A highlight was a session on self-awareness delivered by Dr Campbell Thompson of Athletics New Zealand, who brought high-performance insights from his Olympic experiences. The coaches also enjoyed learning from seasoned professional coaches Tony Franken (Football Australia, Head of Goalkeeping) and Jonathan Gould (Auckland FC, Goalkeeper Coach).
The course also highlighted the growing inclusivity in football. Tangimausia Patolo from Tonga, the only woman on the course, described her experience as empowering.
“Being the only female here was inspiring. I was welcomed and respected. I hope this encourages more women in the region to pursue coaching.
The most significant part of the Goalkeeper B License course I have learned is the emphasis on developing advanced goalkeeping techniques and tactical understanding. This includes refining decision-making skills, positioning, and communication to enhance overall team performance. Additionally, the course highlights the importance of psychological aspects such as confidence and focus, as well as coaching methodologies to effectively train and motivate goalkeepers at a higher competitive level.”
Looking ahead, she shared her vision for football in Tonga, aiming to boost youth development, empower women in sport, and build stronger community ties through football.
Between now and Part 2 of the course in November, participants will engage in distance learning, focusing on their coaching philosophy, coaching process, match day management, analysis and self reflection. This blend of in person and remote education ensures continual development and application of skills learned.
“The growth was huge. Coaches were initially daunted by the new demands but embraced the challenge. Their development by the end of the week was clear to see and sets them up well for Part 2.”
It’s always inspiring to support coaches who are passionate about improving. Having participants from across the Pacific was particularly encouraging, and Chris Marsh continues to create an exceptional learning environment for our region.” said Bannatyne
“I feel confident that we’re aligned with global standards and that our coach education programme is relevant to the needs of our people. There’s a bright future ahead for goalkeeper coaches in Oceania.” added Marsh.
Looking further ahead, OFC plans to deliver another Goalkeeping B Licence course in 2027 and will continue supporting regional coaches through additional GK C Licence offerings. A major milestone is also on the horizon, the introduction of an OFC/NZF Goalkeeping A Licence in 2026, which will complete the advanced goalkeeping education pathway.