Safeguarding was at the forefront in Apia, Samoa during OFC U-19 Men’s Championship 2026, with staff at the Samoa Football Association taking the lead in promoting a safe environment during the tournament.
As eight teams gathered in Samoa for a chance to book their place on the world stage, Samoa Football Social Responsibility Manager Pele Taei was determined to highlight the importance of safeguarding for everyone involved.
“For a tournament such as the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship, the main focus is the safety and wellbeing of our players within the tournament,” Taei explained. “Not only for the players, but the staff, officials and everyone involved.”
Over each match-day, Taei and her team shared customised merchandise with important safeguarding messages. People were also encouraged to offer a “pledge”, reciting a safeguarding message like “safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility,” which Taei said was an interactive way to get people involved.
Across matchdays, Taei and her team distributed customised merchandise carrying important safeguarding messaging. Spectators were encouraged to make a safeguarding “pledge”, reciting messages such as “safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility” as an interactive way to raise awareness.
“Through this competition, we ran the safeguarding campaign. We have the wristband for example, this wristband reminds the players and everyone that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. It’s not only us who implement it, but everyone in the competition.”
Taei also led the introduction of a safeguarding script given to the ground announcer, reinforcing the importance of creating a safe environment on and off the pitch. She said these efforts are made to support the well-being of the players throughout the tournament.
“We’re also looking at their well-being and their safety in terms of physical and mental well-being of players and also to promote the integrity and fair play within football.”
“We see this is something good for all member associations to implement in all competitions so that players are aware of what is physical abuse and all kinds of abuses.”
OFC Social Responsibility Manager Palu Uhatahi Tu’a’moheloa praised Taei’s contribution to safeguarding, highlighting her recent achievement of the FIFA Guardians Diploma as recognition of her ongoing work in the area.
“Pele made a significant contribution to safeguarding in Oceania,” says Tu’a’moheloa. “Not just during OFC competitions hosted by Samoa Football, but being a FIFA Guardian Diploma recipient, we further capacity build her by involving her in co-facilitating with OFC and FIFA the Sexual and Exploitation in Football for Oceania Safeguarding Leads.”
“Her dedication to promote safe sport and protecting participants continues to make meaningful impact on safeguarding efforts throughout Oceania football.”