The Vanuatu Football Federation has named a 25-strong preliminary squad for the tournament, which includes five players who were members of their bronze medal-winning side at the 2015 OFC U-20 Women’s Championship in October.
VFF woman’s development officer Joel Rarua says that experience will be vital to the squad.
“We have five players who have experience playing at this level and know what it takes to be successful at a tournament in another country,” Rarua says.
“Players like midfielder Emilia Taravaki will be key players for us, as she has appeared in numerous tournaments with Vanuatu age-group sides already.”
Rarua says preparations for the team have been boosted by the recent FIFA Women’s Coaching Course held in Vanuatu, which was attended by assistant coach Joella Avcock.
“Joella picked up some really good things from the course and she will be bringing that into the camp to help the players reach a new level,” Rarua says.
“Women’s football is doing well in Vanuatu at the moment and we hope to continue that with a positive result at the U-17 competition.”
The 2016 OFC U-17 Women’s Championship will take place in the Cook Islands from 13-23 January, with eight of the OFC’s Member Associations competing.
The top two teams from each group progress to the semi-finals of the tournament, with the eventual winner awarded direct entry to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016.
Vanuatu have been drawn in Group B alongside Papua New Guinea, Fiji and the Cook Islands.
For more on Vanuatu football visit www.vanuafoot.vu.

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