The stage is set in Rarotonga as the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship-Qualifying tournament kicks off with three nations, American Samoa, Papua New Guinea and hosts the Cook Islands vying for a place at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in August.

The action starts tomorrow with Papua New Guinea playing hosts Cook Islands, and PNG coach Rachel Wadunah is confident her side has prepared well.

“Preparations have been going on well and we are here to compete. We have prepared them well We get to play together and we would like our supporters to be behind us and to support the  team away from home.” Wadunah said.

Cook Islands coach Tupou Brogan has expressed her excitement about hosting an OFC competition at home and sees it as a great motivating factor for her players.

(Photo Credit Jaiah Arai- left to right coaches Rachel Wadunah, Tupou Brogan and Diane Justus)

“I think this would be a great opportunity. Having a home game we are hosting, it’s an exciting one. They definitely motivate the girls that are living here and we will work hard towards it.

Because they’re at home, their parents will be here supporting them, their family, friends and church members. So I think there will definitely be an advantage to us.” Brogan said.

And Brogan is urging locals to turn out in large numbers to support the Cook Islands team.

“We need your support, your cheers and we’ll be happy to see all of you here to support our Cook Island girls.”

Meanwhile American Samoa led by Solomon Islands born coach Diane Justus, will have the chance to scout their rivals as they sit out the opening day.

“The team has prepared for the last few months and now we are here in Cook Islands ready for the tournament. We have been here a couple of days and are settling in now.

And the time that we have for our team is just enough for us to have our last sessions together as a team before our first game on Tuesday.” Justus said.

The tournament winner will join Group B alongside New Zealand, Solomon Islands and Tonga at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Apia in August.

Cover photo credit Jaiah Arai left to right captains Helina George (PNG) Metuamaru Arere (Cook Islands) Sally Tagaloa (American Samoa)