In a groundbreaking achievement for women’s football in Vanuatu, youth coaches Nesta Kate and Freda Warsal have become the first females in the country to earn the OFC Senior C Licence.
Their success marks a significant milestone for gender representation at the highest level in football coaching in the Pacific.
Both Kate and Warsal are involved in football development in Vanuatu. Kate works with the boy’s and girls’ youth teams at the Northern Region Academy, while Warsal serves as assistant coach for the U-19 women’s national team, in addition to looking after regional youth and senior teams.
“It’s a great achievement for both ladies and I’m sure a proud moment for them and their families,” said OFC Coach Educator Andy Hedge.
“As ‘pathfinders’ they have hopefully smashed the ceiling for many others to follow. They have worked diligently to achieve this qualification and are well on the way to gaining higher honours.”
Kate and Warsal were among 14 participants from five Member Associations (MAs) who attended the OFC Women’s-Only Senior C Licence assessment days in Suva, Fiji. It was offered to female coaches who had previously attended a FIFA/OFC C Licence course and had been working hard towards achieving the qualification.
The program, led by Hedge and Margaret Aka in collaboration with OFC High Performance and Education team members, Tracy Cunnington and Annabel Rao, aimed to provide opportunities for coaches to deliver a practical session, receive immediate feedback and refine their delivery for an assessment.
Hedge expressed his pride in the group’s achievement.
“The week proved highly successful with all 14 candidates achieving their Senior C Licence qualification. But beyond that, the most rewarding outcome over the four days were the connections formed between the group.”
“The hard work and dedication shown to achieve their C Licence, in sometimes challenging environments, is not only an achievement for themselves but inspiring to the next generation of female coaches,” added OFC Head of Education and High Performance Owain Prosser.
“Achieving milestones such as this are a result of collaboration between the Member Associations, OFC and FIFA. In line with the OFC “All In” Women’s Football Strategy, this further increases our team of qualified female coaches in the region which will only have a positive impact on the female game.” Prosser added.
The course brought together football figures from across the Pacific, like Cema Nasau an experienced Fijian international for seven years, along with Koleta Likuculacula, who recently claimed the golden boot at the inaugural OFC Futsal Women’s Nations Cup. Meanwhile, Tonga’s Mele Moala Soakai, a former national team player, now spearheads women’s football development and coaches the Tongan U-19 women’s national team.
The assessment covered practical coaching skills and peer collaboration, with participants delivering daily training sessions using players from the Fiji Football Association Academy in Suva. These sessions were refined with feedback, then delivered again, a process that will serve them well in the future when working back in their own environments.
“Coaches attending the assessment days demonstrated commitment and application to their own personal development. The bravery required to stand in front of their peers to deliver a practical session and the willingness to improve when receiving feedback was excellent,” said Margaret Aka.