A new action plan for football activities in Papua New Guinea has been drawn up by the Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) with help from Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Technical Director Jim Selby who recently visited Port Moresby.
Selby’s trip was part of an initial assessment leading into a full OFC delegation visit next month that will cement the calendar of activities and finalize long term development plans for PNGFA.
The technical expert, who met with PNGFA Development Officer Taku Niebo, OFC Consultant David Brand, PNGFA Committee Members, National Soccer League organisers and PNGFA Women’s Football Standing Committee Members, said the discussions helped to detail a framework that will further grow football in Papua New Guinea.
“The purpose of this visit was to forward plan deliverable OFC technical activities for the remainder of the year, to review and update the current status of football in Papua New Guinea and to propose strategies for the delivery of technical programs beyond 2009.”
David Brand, who has been assisting in PNG since April this year, welcomed the assistance from Selby.
“We are grateful that the OFC Technical Department is working hand in hand with PNGFA to plan, implement and sustain tailor made programmes that reflect the needs of this very diverse, unique and often isolated part of the world,” said Brand.
He said the planning meetings were very productive and that a number of discussion points will now be presented to the PNGFA Executive Committee for approval.
One of the major points of discussion was the adoption and implementation of the OFC Junior Framework Policy which ensures a clear 
development pathway for youth footballers.
Grassroots football was addressed with plans now in place for OFC to facilitate ‘Fun Football’ and ‘Just Play’ activities and PNGFA to establish a grassroots steering committee.
Selby is also helping to coordinate a two-day National League Coaches and Franchise Workshop plus a Coaching Instructors Refresher Course and a number of women’s football initiatives.