The recent OFC Women’s Nations Cup wasn’t just the stage for elite international football, the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, became a celebration of inclusion, empowerment and pure joy as the This is How We Football festival took centre stage.
With 178 girls and women lacing up their boots, the festival created an energetic, welcoming space where fun met purpose. Side-by-side with the region’s top players, participants had the chance to connect, play, and fall in love with the game, many for the very first time.
At the heart of the festival was a powerful message: football is for everyone. Coaches and instructors led activities using new, progressive approaches, from gender sensitisation and physiology-informed coaching to strong safeguarding practices, all designed to create safe, inclusive environments where every participant feels they belong.
Filomena Liku, Social Responsibility & Just Play Manager at the Fiji Football Association, emphasised the festival’s impact: “Through this festival and introducing this programme, we’re going to break down the barriers and give them [the girls] a pathway and the opportunity to come and play.”
OFC Women’s Football Manager Ashleigh Cox added, “We’re all here for one thing and that’s to enjoy the game. It’s really nice to see some of the more experienced [girls] encouraging the lesser experienced to get involved.”
Moments like these represent more than just football and provide empowerment, opportunity, building a future where every girl has the chance to play, lead, and shine.
This is How We Football is an OFC Football for Good initiative designed to tackle social barriers and promote life-long involvement in football for women and girls across the Pacific. Backed by research into the key challenges faced by females in the region, the programme focuses on addressing gender inequality, promoting health and well-being, and combating gender-based violence.
Watch the full story in the video below: