(Photo Credit OFC Media via Phototek)
Developing high performance leadership and sound financial management practices, was a key focus on day one of the OFC Executive Programme workshop for General Secretaries held on the 4-5 July in Auckland.
Since its launch last year, this is the third edition of the OFC Executive Programme which remains an integral part of the OFC Strategy and is a deliberate step in continuing to foster high performance off the pitch.
As a testament to the on-going cross confederation collaboration, the programme has been made possible through UEFA funded by the English Football Association.
“UEFA is delighted to support such positive initiatives by our member associations. This collaboration bolsters our ongoing partnership with OFC to develop capacity in associations across Oceania,” said Emily Shaw, UEFA’s Head of Executive Office and International Relations.
Maria de León, the English FA’s Senior International Relations Manager, added: “We are always keen to engage with fellow Member Associations in other Confederations and are fully supportive of OFC’s Executive Programme. We are grateful to UEFA for providing this opportunity.”
Eight OFC General Secretaries attended the two-day workshop held at the OFC Home of Football ‘Te Kahu o Kiwa.’
The opening day objectives were to strengthen the understanding on elements that make up a high-performance CEO, and to explore how a CEO navigates through a financial growth period.
OFC Chief Operating Officer Frederic Guillemont delivered an interactive session on channelling ‘the corporate athlete’ which involves maintaining peak performance by managing physical, mental and emotional capacities to sustain performance and resilience amidst challenges and stress in high pressured corporate environments.
Guillemont shared the ‘The High-Performance Pyramid’ and held an open discussion on its importance linked in with the corporate athlete concept.
“It is important to reflect on all the aspects of the high-performance pyramid while ensuring you are incorporating changes on every single element that will enable you to sustain peak performance. Recovery is key to continue to perform under stressful situations”, Guillemont said.
Football Australia Chair Anter Isaac discussed sound financial management practice and how it can benefit Member Associations. He had a powerful message for the OFC General Secretaries.
“In budgeting, one of the key principles at least that I’m always advocating for promoting is, overestimate on your costs, underestimate on your revenue so that, if you do get a surprise, it’s a good surprise rather than a bad surprise.”
Isaac was impressed with the robust discussion during the workshop.
“I found it quite constructive. Reflection on financial governance and management and doing that regularly is helpful. I think a healthy finance function is an indicator of a healthy organisation”.
OFC Head of Finance and Services Ray Park led the final session of day one, shining light on the Financial Management Cycle which encapsulated the knowledge shared on the day.
“We delved into the transformative roles of foundational and growth-level financial management within our Member Associations. The session was designed to empower our General Secretaries with the knowledge to assess and elevate their current financial management practices, ensuring their Member Associations are not only stable but prepared for future growth.” Park said.
Day two of the OFC Executive Programme workshop covered Digital Marketing, the Matilda’s case study and Club Licensing.
A warm thank you to our partner UEFA and the English FA for funding this workshop.