General Secretary's Foreword

The 2021 calendar year was one full of innovation at OFC, as we delivered on key milestones that played a vital role in building a stronger foundation for the future.

Football in the Pacific, and indeed the global game as a whole, witnessed the advancement of women’s football in our region with the launch of the first ever strategic plan, ALL IN: OFC Women’s Football Strategy 2027. Our vision is a future in football for all and I am proud to say that OFC is championing this strategy. We are committed to increasing the development, growth, sustainability and professionalisation of the women’s game in Oceania, leading to elevated performances on the world stage.

In light of New Zealand and Australia winning the bid to co-host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, the Oceania Legacy Programme 2023 was developed in partnership with FIFA, AFC, NZF and FFA. Through this, priority projects for lasting impact were identified and initial partnership discussions for funding projects across development networks were initiated.

With the pandemic having an adverse impact on face-to-face workshops, OFC modernised learning across the region through the launch of the OFC Learn platform. We thank UEFA Assist for their funding support and for equipping our people and communities with this online learning tool which has allowed us to expand educational components from football development to involve corporate and administrative resources. The overall reach will expand too, opening the platform up to communities across the world.

A major milestone was achieved with the re-launch of the OFC Commercial Programme when OFC announced a three-year partnership with Score Sportswear Limited (SSL). To support the growth of football in the Oceania region, SSL committed to delivering a high value sponsorship package while being OFC’s dedicated supplier of Lotto branded gear, football equipment, staff sporting apparel and footwear.

New ways of working and technology advancements were common themes across the organisation as Finance and Services made ground-breaking changes with the automation of the payment and reporting systems. Not only does this contribute to the strengthening of OFC’s foundation for the future but it demonstrates that together we are spearheading good financial management in football.

This year also marked the first year for the implementation of the OFC Development Programme 2021-2022 that was introduced in 2020, the programme is a combination of funds from both the FIFA Forward 2.0 and the FIFA Covid 19 Relief Plan. The main vision of this programme is to enhance capacity building and strategic focus in the areas of governance, management, football, and national team development.

And finally, the largest achievement of 2021 was the completion of the Home of Football, so Oceania football now has a dedicated purpose-built home. On December 3 the complex was opened with a Waerea (blessing ceremony) and the Home of Football was gifted the Māori name Te Kahu o Kiwa. We look forward to welcoming FIFA, UEFA, CONCACAF, CAF, AFC, CONMEBOL and OFC Member Associations to a formal inauguration in 2022.

I give my thanks to FIFA and all of OFC’s partners: the New Zealand and Australian Governments, UEFA Assist, UEFA Foundation for Children, UNICEF, Football Australia and Score Sportswear Limited for the confidence and support provided to OFC throughout the year.

I am proud that we have achieved our commitments for 2021. Our work would not have been accomplished without the dedication and hard work from our Chief of Operations Frederic, Chief of Football Patrick and all the OFC Staff, to whom I express my deepest gratitude.

A big part of strengthening football across Oceania is to continue with forward planning and continuously relooking at our strategy to suit the fluidity of the change in landscape caused by the pandemic.

In 2022 we will continue to innovate and focus on a redesigned strategy right across all divisions of OFC to ensure we continue to drive and work towards our long-term goal of qualifying two teams for the FIFA World Cups in 2026 and 2027.

Franck Castillo General Secretary

FOOTBALL

- CHIEF OF FOOTBALL MESSAGE - FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT - Women’s Football - Player Development - Goalkeeping - Futsal - Beach Soccer - CLUBS AND LEAGUES - EDUCATION - HIGH PERFORMANCE - REFEREEING - SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

FOOTBALL

CHIEF OF FOOTBALL MESSAGE

Our plan over the year was to revolutionise all our activities and programmes to ensure Football Development, Education and Social Responsibility remained a priority within our region.

Looking back, 2021 was the year we focused on building the foundations for Oceania’s future in football. And I am proud to say that as a division we have achieved this despite many challenges posed by the pandemic.

The launch of the ALL IN: OFC Women’s Football Strategy 2027 added tremendously to the foundation of our game. As an organisation we have committed to creating an accessible, equitable and inclusive footballing culture for all while empowering and enabling girls and women across all sectors in football.

The Oceania Legacy Programme 2023 was developed in coordination with the OFC Women’s Football Strategy to leverage the opportunities presented by New Zealand and Australia winning the bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023. Our vision is to create a catalyst for sustainable impact both on and off the pitch, while activating a legacy of equal opportunity for girls and women in the Pacific.

OFC Learn changed the game for us, an online learning tool was built with Football Development, Coaching and Education courses easily accessible for our people and communities, while at the same time reaching global audiences.

A key focus of 2021 was the feasibility study for the Professional League project. This project is key in professionalising football across the Oceania region.

As we tackled the year, it became clearer that the long-term strategy needed to be amended as COVID-19 impacted many football development activities. One key focus area rested on national teams and it became increasingly important to ensure the continuation of local competitions from youth to senior and ensure development at all categories take place.

I thank my entire division for their continued passion and dedication in 2021 and for consistently driving our vision to qualify two teams for the FIFA World Cups in 2026 and 2027.

As I look forward to the future, OFC will continue to innovate, prioritise and lift the standards of the game across all levels for the future of our football, people and communities

Patrick Jacquemet Chief of Football