While they may not have claimed that coveted gold, what a number of players got was international experience – experience that will be crucial coming into the 2015 OFC U-20 Women’s Championship.
Kamali Fitialeata was at the helm of the senior women’s squad in Port Moresby and will again be in charge when the U-20 women’s side attempts to perform with equal aplomb at the FIFA U-20 World Cup qualifiers next month.
Fitialeata, also a football development officer with FCF, says the Pacific Games have been a perfect jumping off point for youth development.
“It was an intentional decision on our part to include some of the younger players in our Pacific Games squad, in order to give them experience which will assist our participation in these qualifiers,” he says.
“We’re looking forward to continuing the development pathway we started with those players who attended the Pacific Games, and the qualifiers will also be an opportunity for new players to discover this level of competition.”
Five players who were part of the Pacific Games squad have been named in the squad for Tonga, including defender Isabelle Hace, while another member of that team has been offered the chance to transition into a coaching role.
Marielle Haocas is just 22 years old and has long been part of the national team mix and Fitialeata is keen to offer more opportunities to experienced players like Haocas.
“The Federation is pleased to be able to provide opportunities for our young players to discover the role of a coach,” Fitialeata explains.
“This is a chance for her to make the most of her experiences by sharing them with those younger than her; reassuring them and offering advice for the competition.”
While there are more opportunities than ever for women wanting to get involved in the game, Fitialeata says the achievements being made can be attributed to two things.
“In terms of the development of women’s football over the past few years we have more teams taking part in the senior competition for a start,” he explains.
“There is a futsal championship in the north with two pools of seven teams, an U-16 championship with four teams, a festival for U-13 and U-16 in Lifou, U-8 and U-12 festivals in partnership with schools.
“We hosted a FIFA course for the coaches of our women’s teams and we had an OFC course in the north, plus there are more girls being integrated into our scholastic sporting programme.”
There has been plenty of activity for sure, but Fitialeata says the second element of success comes down to participation.
“If you look at the side we have assembled for the U-20 Women’s qualifier the players all developed in New Caledonia which could be seen as an indication that women’s football is strong in the country.
“But it also comes down to the fact that there are more players getting involved in the game.
“In addition, the Federation is making a real effort to create a better structure for women’s football in order to reach a better level.”
New Caledonia will open their OFC U-20 Women’s Championship campaign against Vanuatu on 1 October at 15h30.

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