Many women footballers across Oceania dream to see the game develop, and the region compete strongly on the world stage.

The desire to achieve this goal was the common theme among the delegates and course participants at the FIFA/OFC Coaching Course for Women’s Football in New Zealand, that opened today at the Millennium Institute on Auckland’s North Shore – just days out from kick-off of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – New Zealand 2008.

The ten day course has drawn thirty participants from ten of the eleven OFC member associations and representatives of New Zealand Football (NZF) and its member federations.

NZF President Frank Van Hattum, NZF CEO Michael Glading, Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) General Secretary Tai Nicholas, along with FIFA’s Juerg Nepfer, Michelle Cox and Mayrilian Cruz Blanco called on course participants to embrace the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – New Zealand 2008 as a prime opportunity to promote women’s football not only in New Zealand, but the Oceania region.

“It is the vision of the FIFA President Joesph S. Blatter to develop women’s football. He initiated the women’s World Cups. In 1991 it was difficult to find 12 teams of the same level. Now, in 2008, we have four competitions – U-17, U-20, Olympic and FIFA Women’s World Cup. There are 30 million registered women players in the football family.

It is now the responsibility of the member associations to develop the game further,” Nepfer said.

Nepfer added that the broad aim of the course was to leave behind a legacy for women’s football.

“FIFA has invested finance and human resource to develop and promote the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and we count on the support of those present to share their experience and knowledge with those not privileged to be on this course,” Nepfer said.

The course differs from most technically-based curriculums with a broad approach taken with the practical coach education aspect combined with broader learning aims including promotion of the game, match analyses, knowledge transfer, network development and exchange of experiences.

NZF President Frank Van Hattum delivered an address that was both encouraging and supportive.

“World Cups create lifelong friendships and memories for everyone who participates in them. Age group World Cups are all about learning, analysing and improving. I am certain this course will help improve knowledge and experience in a unique live learning environment crucial to the development of the women’s game,” Van Hattum said.

 

OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas addresses course participants at the Millenium Institute on Auckland’s North Shore

OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas highlighted the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and the Coaching Course as arguably the greatest opportunity handed to women’s football ever held in the Oceania region.

“The FIFA President has said many times that the future of football is feminine and when you we host a major FIFA tournament in our region we can see he is right.

The numbers of women playing football in our region has increased dramatically in recent times with countries such as Papua New Guinea and Tonga making big strides.

The hard work of NZF, FIFA, Michelle Cox and Carolina Morace during the Ambassador tour will go a long way to ensure a legacy is left after this event finishes. We have every reason to be optimistic,” Nicholas said.

Michelle Cox said it was apparent during the Ambassador tour that coaching was one area in New Zealand where women’s football had to pick-up. Cox said the courses would help show coaches that understanding broader aspects off the pitch such as marketing had a direct impact on their job.

“Promoting the game off the pitch can have a major impact on your job as a coach and it is important during this course that we impart this idea to participants,” Cox said.

“Top coaches are aware of all areas of the game and this course will raise participants’ awareness and build their capacity outside their traditional area of expertise on the pitch,” Cox said.

OFC Technical Director Jim Selby said one pleasing aspect was the diverse personalities of the FIFA Instructor team.

“This is a special group of FIFA Instructors from different parts of the world where the game is being developed and I am sure they will relate to the coaches and make them feel comfortable in a course that has holistic aims outside of a technical environment.”

FIFA Ambassador Carolina Morace was joined by FIFA Instructors Anne Noe, Monika Staab, Betty Wong and Vanessa Martinez Lagunas. The course runs from 26 October to 5 November when the group stage of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – New Zealand 2008 will conclude.

FIFA Instructors share a smile at the opening of the FIFA/OFC Coaching Course for Women’s Football in New Zealand