The OFC Youth Festival has proved a tournament of firsts for Nauti School from Tuvalu.
It is the first time the Island nation has particpated in an age group tournament, it is the first time many of the players have left their country and for the three girls in the squad, the youth festival will mark the first time they have ever played in a formal game.
Tuvalu has a population of 10,000 people and the OFC Youth festival has given the squad from Nauti School an opportunity many of their peers will not have, international travel.
Coach Toakai Puapua said his team were extremly excited about their trip to New Caledonia, though noted his side have had to adapt to their new surroundings.
"We told them before we left what to expect but now they are truly experiencing it," Puapua said.
"It is a totally different culture and environment and is very different to what the players are used to, especially the food."
Puapua said that the tournament has provided a great opportunity for his team to mix and meet children of different cultures and backgrounds.
"We are staying in a dorm with Fiji and Kiribati and their is lots of interaction going on, its really great to see."
There is no girls football in Tuvalu so when Puapua found out his side needed female players he had to go searching for talent.
The three girls he selected had never kicked a ball before, but Puapua said they were doing very well and were improving at an impressive speed.
Puapua reflected on the cultural day yesterday and said that seeing the legends of France ’98 will live with his team for a long time.
We watch Sky TV back home and all the kids know who Zidane and Karembeu are, so to see some of the France 98′ team last night is a moment that they will never forget.