The association is running a FIFA advanced women’s football course for six days at its academy in ‘Atele. About 20 coaches from around the country are attending the workshop, which aims to increase the technical expertise of women’s team coaches and is being facilitated by Vicki Linton, a Melbourne-based FIFA instructor.
The course was officially opened on Monday by Lord Tevita Tupou, president of Tonga’s National Olympic Council. In his official remarks, Lord Tupou encouraged those taking part to make good use of the training at hand.
“You have to learn and apply the techniques you will acquire over the next six days in order for Tonga to be the Germans of the Pacific,” he said, making reference to Germany’s victory at the recent FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The guest of honour also said he is impresed with the fact that about 30 million women play football around the world and believes women’s football in the country will dramatically improve as TFA strives to make the game the nation’s favourite sport.
There are currently 2,500 registered female players in Tonga, 80 per cent of whom are youth players.
The country’s national team is in training ahead of the OFC Women’s Nations Cup, which is set to take place in Auckland, New Zealand from September 25 to October 10.
Story and photo courtesy of TFA Media.