The laughter, fun, culture and football is coming to Stade Pentecost and Stade Numa Daly as the 3rd edition of the OFC Youth Festival gears up for the biggest and best event yet. Teams from around Oceania will gather in Noumea in a spirit of peace and cultural understanding at a football tournament where winning isn’t the most important element.
OFC has run this successful under 12 tournament since 2006 and the 2008 edition promises to be even more exciting with the Christian Karembeu Jubilee match taking place at Stade Numa Daly with the OFC Youth Festival Final providing a thrilling curtain raiser to the main event!
www.oceaniafootball.com will bring you all the fun and action from Noumea as the children of Oceania live their dreams and meet their football heroes in a celebration of this region’s blossoming youth.
One of the participating teams is Waikato Bay of Plenty who are coached under the guidance of Peter Smith.
Waikato Bay of Plenty Football was formed in 1999 and is one of the seven football federations in New Zealand.
It is the third northernmost federation in New Zealand and covers the area south of the Bombay hills, down to Taumarunui and across to Opotiki.
The U12 team involved in the prestigious 2008 Oceania U12 Youth Festival commenced training in February.
In 2007 all players in the team played in an internal federation competition where they trained regularly and competed in tournaments and friendly fixtures.
Team manager Cam Mitchell is the Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Operations Manager and has previously been involved in the Oceania Youth Festival. He was part of the United Soccer 1 management team at last years festival in Papua New Guinea, having previously been involved with the inaugural tournament winning team that represented Oceania credibly at the 2006 Danone Nations Cup in Lyon, France.
The head coach Peter Smith originates from Scotland and has previously worked as a youth coach at Scottish premier league club Dundee United. Having relocated to New Zealand in 2005, Peter is currently employed by Waikato Bay of Plenty Football as a football develop officer, which enables him to up skill coaches and players from clubs and schools throughout the federation.
Three teams from Vanuatu – Abuanga, Erakor and Imaki will represent their island at the tournament and provide their squad with some memories they will never forget.
Waikato Bay of Plenty
1. Scott Mickelson
2. Jack Boyle
3. Kieran Dallas
4. Jordan Ramsden
5. Stefan Krystman
6. Anthony Riley
7. Henry Crayton
8. Reid Drake
9. Tessa Leong
10. Andrew Blake
11. Nathan Kinney
12. Alexis Koopu
13. Connor Smith
14. Ryan Watson
Abuanga – Vanuatu
1. Tahi Tagaro (gk)
2. Kege Tagaro
3. Coldrige Loli
4. Knox Leo
5. Philip Wai
6. Viniana Tobibi (female)
7. Obed Gaina
8. Creamon Hungai
9. Goergten Tahi
10. Mathias Rihai
11. Wicliff Sogari
12. Rebu Rau
13. Samuel Vuraina
14. Steward Siro
Erakor – Vanuatu
1. Kerry Kaltang
2. Tony Kaltack
3. Tonly Kalotang
4. Remy Kalsarap
5. Yvanah Kassou
6. Kenneth Godshem
7. Erickan Kalonuk
8. Kaltsev Kaltack
9. Menita Tasaruru
10. Jason Thomas
11. Jacky Ruben
12. Remy Filix
13. Dello Ruben
14. Hendry Harrison
Imaki – Vanuatu
1. Hyppolite Namu Nako
2. Alfred Nawrai
3. Charley Yapus
4. Alex Kapara
5. Alfred Kapara
6. Donald Napat
7. Norbert Kuau
8. Diana Nawarau
9. Xavier Yapus
10. Hurbain-Rene Mabi
11. Dolores Noar
12. Pedro Menesu
13. Ruben Kanawi
14. Avock Kuau
