It was Samuel Garcia who first spotted Teaonui Tehau’s talent when he was just six years old.
A player himself at the time, Garcia brought a ball to Teaonui’s neighbourhood, and after watching the youngster play, encouraged him to sign up for football at AS Vénus – one of Tahiti’s powerhouse clubs.
Now 26 years later, Teaonui Tehau has finished his first season as a professional player, with Samuel Garcia as his coach. He has captained Tahiti United during their inaugural campaign in the OFC Pro League and is his nation’s all-time top goalscorer and appearance holder.
“I’ve been lucky to have some great coaches throughout my career from a young age, as well as the support of my parents,” Teaonui says.
“We are a big football family — everyone in our family plays football. We live it.”
Arguably Tahiti’s greatest football family, the Tehau’s have shaped the game in the tiny French Polynesian island over the last decade.
Teaonui has been joined by his brother Roonui for Tahiti United’s Pro League campaign this season, and his cousins; Alvin, Lorenzo and Jonathan, have all also worn the national team jersey both on the field and on the sand for the country’s famous beach soccer team.
“It’s a huge source of pride for me to play for Tahiti United, and especially to represent my country Tahiti,” says Teaonui.
He made his international debut for the national team 15 years ago at the 2011 Pacific Games in New Caledonia and has since collected 49 caps and scored 31 goals – the most of any Tahitian international footballer.
In that time, Teaonui has lifted the OFC Men’s Nations Cup in 2012 and appeared at the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013 in Brazil – his cousin Jonathan scoring for Tahiti against Nigeria in their opening game.
Having also spent over 15 years with his club team AS Vénus, Teaonui was filled with emotion when he first heard about the OFC Pro League, and the formation of Tahiti’s first professional football club.
“When we first heard about this project, we were all proud – me especially,” he says. “I was extremely proud to be able to fulfill my childhood dream and become a professional player.”
Teaonui has worn the captain’s armband for Tahiti United’s first season and finished as their top goalscorer with seven goals. Whilst their campaign came to an end in the Challengers Group, Tahiti United have built a platform for the future of professional football in the nation.
“When you’re a kid and you play football, your dream is to become a professional. The fact that this professional competition has been created in Oceania means we cannot let this opportunity pass.”
Understandably, in a life where the sport has existed all around him since he was young, football has given much to Teaonui.
“I think when you are a child and you love football, it allows you to meet other people and build connections with people you didn’t know before. I gained lots of friends and brothers.”
He also acknowledges the path that football steered him away from, helping him to gain his confidence and stay out of trouble.
“We all know how easy it can be to drift into delinquency. Football helped me stay away from that and avoid going down that path.”
Whilst it has taken 26 years of his life to get to this stage of his career of playing professional football, Teaonui will forever be grateful to the sport.
“Football has given me everything, and I am proud to play this sport.”
World Football Giving Day
This story has been published as part of OFC’s World Football Giving Day campaign – showcasing the stories of OFC Pro League players who’s lives have been positively impacted by football.
The Oceania Football Confederation is joining World Football Giving Day on May 26, a global movement bringing together the football community around solidarity, generosity, and giving back.
Created by Common Goal, World Football Giving Day is a shared global moment where players, clubs, organisations, fans, brands and communities come together under the message that “Football Shows Its Heart.”
To support, head to www.worldfootballgivingday.org and donate to any of the organisations in any of the 90+ countries. You can also post using the WFGD hashtag #WeAreIn or use the heart gesture as a symbol of solidarity and connection.