Instead, the Santo-born former player has taken up a coaching role as she attempts to share her love of the game with a new generation of women’s footballers.
Tamakushiku’s father Paul Bibo played for Amicale FC before moving his family to Christchurch, New Zealand when she was just three years old. There, she played her football with New Brighton Football Club.
She returned to Vanuatu in 2009 to work as head chef at Eratap Beach Resort, and in 2011 found herself in the role of head coach with Lakotau Girls FC, a side in the Port Vila Women’s Football League.
Having grown up in the well-established New Zealand football system, Tamakushiku says what she has seen of the women’s game in Vanuatu since returning is a credit to those in charge.
“I’m impressed by the progress women’s football has made in the country,” she says. “You can notice the work the president of the PVFA Women’s League Martha Poida and her committee have done in order to further promote women in sports.”
The 34-year-old says she has had the opportunity to observe the women’s football competition over the past two years and says the next five years are crucial to the women’s game in Port Vila.
“Port Vila Women’s Football has progressed in social terms and the right messages have been sent out to women. My idea is to make the next step while respecting and adapting to Vanuatu culture.
“I have found excellent working conditions here and I’m convinced that we’ll be able to make a valid contribution to women’s football development in the next five years.”
Tamakushiku says the Port Vila Women’s League is well organised thanks to the Port Vila Football Association and the Vanuatu Football Federation women’s department.
“We need to ensure that everyone understands the benefits that women’s football can bring to society as a whole. These girls are becoming important role models in Port Vila because they are showing that women’s football can be an integral part of daily life.”
She says the courses organised and run by VFF and OFC have been great and the positive effect of such courses is starting to be seen.
“I read last week that PNGFA, through FIFA and OFC, organised a FIFA Women’s Referee Course – and that is what we want in Vanuatu – referee and coaching courses for women only.
“Overall women’s football is getting stronger and stronger every week. If the current progress continues, one of the Vanuatu women’s teams – U-17 or U-20 – with the help of FIFA and OFC could reach the top level of Oceania within the next 30 years and qualify to play in a FIFA competition.”
For more on Vanuatu football go to www.vanuafoot.vu

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