Held in the heart of Kerema town, with the support from Gulf Governor Havila Kavo, the event was run by PNGFA Women’s Football Development Officer Frederica Sakette and National U-20 assistant coach Margaret Aka.
The two coaches spent the Saturday morning, putting the four teams through their paces as they made good use of the opportunity.
Two stations were set-up with three different football activities taught by two coaches at each station.
Dribbling, passing and shooting were among the basic skills the young women learned before they put them into action with few games to close out the program.
The event was successful with the players eager to give football a go, promoting women’s football in their township.
National U-20 assistant coach Margaret Aka said the event is to give women from Gulf Province the chance to play football, while also serving as an opportunity to do some scouting for the upcoming OFC U-17 Women’s Championship and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup next year.
She thanked the Gulf Governor Honorable Havila Kavo for organising the trip and his support for sports in the province.
“I can see that there is potential in Gulf province but only if we have good competitions and development programs, women’s football in Kerema will definitely benefit,” says Aka.
The event was attended by Chairman of Erema Gulf Football Club Francis Teichshe on behalf of Governor Kavo, stated his pleasure at PNGFA for first time to bring such football program into Gulf Province.
“We are witnessing and celebrating a new beginning for our women in terms of football development,” Teichshe says.
“Everything must starts from Gulf province before going up to the national level and we do have women who are very interested in football. Gone are the days when women were left out of sports, now I think let’s get down to the business of competition, development and compete with the rest of country.”