The Oceania Football Confederation is investing in the future of players, coaches and administrators in the region through a ground-breaking initiative, the OFC Education Centre.

Today the OFC Education Centre was officially inaugurated in New Caledonia by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, OFC President David Chung, Federation Caledonienne de Football President Steeve Laigle and President of the Comite Territorial Olympique et Sportif (CTOS) Charles Cali.

Offering an in-country educational institute where participants can learn and share knowledge, skills and experience in football, the OFC Education Centre is an Oceania-wide initiative which provides a structured learning pathway.

The official inauguration was held at the Centre International Sport et Expertise (CISE), a site operated by the CTOS, and the local headquarters of the OFC Education Centre.

OFC President David Chung said the locally-implemented, but Oceania-aligned, curriculum will help OFC better provide for the future of football, in particular by providing qualifications which are transferrable across OFC’s 11 Member Associations.

“OFC has always offered courses to our Member Associations,” Chung said.

“What is different now is these courses will be implemented by local instructors who have received direct training and support from OFC to deliver a standardised curriculum.

“This will ensure that every player, coach and administrator in the Oceania region can receive equal opportunities for qualifications and careers in football, and by doing so, become part of an Oceania-wide network of alumi.”

“Their credentials will be recognised in any Member Association in Oceania and graduates will become part of an Oceania-wide network of alumni.”

FCF President Steeve Laigle said the partnership with the CTOS and OFC offers a wealth of opportunity to people involved in football, and also for other sports codes in the country.

“The OFC Education Centre offers a complete set of courses like administration, management, medical, and of course the traditional coaching courses,” Laigle said.

“With courses like management and marketing, they will be open to all the sports codes in New Caledonia so this isn’t just helping football develop.”

Laigle said a key aspect of having headquarters in each Member Association is to establish a link to the communities which will benefit directly from the institute.

“The wishes of OFC are to have local trainers and that will allow us to educate our own people and develop the level of our trainers,” he said.

“They will need to take part in a refresher course every three months with OFC, but that allows us to keep this little world of sport alive right here.”

With a capable and enthusiastic team ready to lead on the ground, OFC Head of Education Giovani Fernandes is excited to see mutual benefits and growth at all levels as instructors and participants develop together.

“By empowering local leaders to deliver the courses we are able to create an accessible and environmentally tailored educational institute,” he said.

“Our instructors have practical knowledge based on years of working in football and other sports environments which they will use to enhance participants’ learning experiences.

“This will help improve their abilities and further develop in their careers, while also providing an opportunity for our instructors to build on their experience and learn while educating others.”

The OFC Education Centre was inaugurated on Monday 11 December at the CISE in Dumbea, New Caledonia.

For further information about the OFC Education Centre and the courses available in New Caledonia in 2018, visit: www.oceaniafootball.com/oec