Coach development across the Pacific took another major step forward with the OFC Regional B-Licence taking place in Wellington, New Zealand this month, bringing together 18 aspiring coaches from across the Oceania region.

The course from the 2nd to 8th of May provided a valuable programme for coaches to engage with others from different cultural and football backgrounds.

One of the most significant milestones was the strong representation of women, with 10 of the 18 attendees being female.

“It’s been incredibly inspiring to work with such a passionate and diverse group of coaches from across the Pacific,” said Coach Educator Stephanie Spielmann.

“This OFC B-Licence course is not just about developing tactical and technical skills — it’s about building football knowledge and strengthening football communities across the region. Seeing 10 female coaches alongside their male counterparts is a powerful sign of progress and inclusivity in the game.”

The course focused on equipping participants with the knowledge to lead and adapt coaching programmes tailored to their local environments.

Andy Hedge, one of the course facilitators, highlighted the positive mindset and drive of those involved.

“The attitude of candidates on this course has been excellent, their enthusiasm and willingness to learn really stood out,” he said.

“The challenge now is for each of them to take what they’ve learned and apply it within their own unique environments. That practical implementation will be key to their development before we come together again for part two.”

Among the participants was Courtney Napa from the Cook Islands, who had a clear vision to take what she had learnt from the course and apply them in her home country.

“It’s all about performance, so the challenge for me is to utilise our skills and our abilities to deliver high quality sessions that can help our men’s team perform and ultimately win. Our goal is to head to the OFC Men’s Champions League so we are coaching with that intention.” Napa said.

“This course will help us fine-tune our processes, ensure the quality of our delivery is top-tier, and give us the tools to keep improving.” She added.

The course marks another chapter in OFC’s commitment to building a network of strong coach educators across the Pacific and giving coaches an opportunity to inspire and connect.