The Federation Tahitienne de Football is putting the finishing touches on renovations to the beach soccer pitch at the National Football Academy in Pirae, readying it for the requisite thrashing it has in store once training starts.
While the Tiki Toa will be using the pitch to prepare their campaign for World Cup glory, FTF will also be making the most of the facility, using it for a number of activities it has planned for 2013, most notably the Tama Beach Soccer Festival for local youth.
The venue will also play host to workshops for coaches and referees throughout the year, with training sessions for the 24 Beach Soccer World Cup referees being held there during the tournament.
The World Cup, which will be staged in Papeete from September 18-28, is a huge event for the Polynesian country with FTF hoping to use it as a stepping stone to increased participation in both football and beach soccer in particular.
The federation plans to capitalise on the growing interest by investing in the construction of beach soccer Schools of Excellence in Papara, Papeete and Pirae, using the academy’s newly-renovated pitch.
The schools are being funded through the FIFA Beach Soccer Legacy programme which helps host countries build lasting projects on the back of the success of the World Cup, with the school project being led by 26-year-old Tiki Toa player Heimanu Taiarui.
It is expected that schools will attract up to 360 young beach soccer enthusiasts every year who will participate in weekly training and league competitions between April and October.
For more on Tahiti football go to www.ftf.pf

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