OFC Insider Magazine Issue 3

/ ISSUE THREE JULY / AUGUST 2014

CHAMPIONS! — Germany lift FIFA World CupTM Fiji U-20 taste OFC title glory ‘Next Goal Wins’ — Jaiyah Saelua speaks Meet Pasifi-ika the OFC Mascot Just Play heading to Glasgow 2014 OFC Futsal Draw revealed

OFC Insider

Dear members of the Oceania football community The 20th edition of the FIFA World Cup™ has come to a thrilling conclusion with Germany defeating Argentina in the extra time to earn their fourth World Champions title.

The World Cup is one of the most anticipated sporting events on the planet and it didn’t disappoint.

There were all the thrills, spills and upsets that we have come to expect from national sides boasting the world’s greatest, most celebrated players.

And while the players took care of the action on the field, Brazil really turned it on as host. The atmosphere was electric with World Cup fever filling the streets and football taking over Copacabana Beach.

While Brazilians were captivated by what was happening in their backyard, they weren’t the only ones. Oceania nations were equally enthralled by what unfolded.

Solomon Islands and Vanuatu were first and second respectively in the Google search volume index for the term ‘World Cup” showing them for the football nations we know they are.

And OFC may not have been represented in Brazil by a team, but we had a trio of match officials led

by New Zealand’s Peter O’Leary as well as a second referee in Norbert Hauata of Tahiti.

While there was plenty of action in Brazil to keep everyone occupied for the past month that doesn’t mean football development in Oceania came to a halt.

New Zealand got their own taste of Brazil when the Football Ferns played a two-match series against their Brazilian counterparts. The Solomon Islands welcomed their first FIFA course since 2012 and had an excellent turnout. Fiji held their first major tournament of the year with 2014 OFC Champions League participants Nadi successfully defending their title.

And how could we forget the historic qualification of Fiji’s U-20 squad to the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Fiji Football Association invested a lot in this team and their belief and determination paid off when they qualified to take Fiji to its first FIFA tournament.

Congratulations to Fiji FA President Rajesh Patel, coach Ravinesh Kumar and the U-20 squad on your achievement, the hard work really begins now.

Yours in football

David Chung OFC President FIFA Vice-President PNGFA President

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IN THIS ISSUE

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OFC U-20 Championship 2014

2014 FIFA World Cup™ Brazil

Fiji qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2015 in May. OFC Insider fills you in on how long they’ve been on the hunt and their path to glory in Suva.

The Pacific went football-mad as the World Cup kept us captivated. Find out how OFC was represented despite having no team in competition.

THE BIG INTERVIEW: Jaiyah Saelua

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FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014

Social Responsibility

Member Association News

Just Play goes global as one of six recipients in line to benefit from the first Commonwealth-wide fundraiser during Glasgow 2014.

OFC Insider provides a wrap of football news from around the Pacific.

New Zealand are pinning their hopes on a mix of youth and experience as they head to Canada in August.

Official publication of the Oceania Football Confederation The views expressed in signed articles are not necessarily the official views of the OFC. The reproduction of articles published in OFC Insider is authorised, provided the source is indicated.

Produced by: OFC Media and Communications Cover photo: OFC Media Photography: Phototek, FIFA via Getty Images Editor: Jacqueline Tran Van

Find out what life has been like for the world’s first transgender player to compete in a World Cup qualifier since the release of the documentary Next Goal Wins.

Oceania Football Confederation Headquarters, 12 Maurice Road, Penrose, Auckland 1061, New Zealand Tel: +64 9 531 4096 Fax: +64 9 529 5143 Email: info@oceaniafootball.com Website: www.oceaniafootball.com

OFC Insider

OFC U-20 Championship 2014 With New Zealand automatically qualifying for the world’s premier youth tournament, the FIFA U-20 World Cup, as hosts it fell to six Pacific Island nations to fill the qualifying berth for Oceania.

After waiting over 40 years to stake their claim on the regional U-20 title, Fiji finally ended their drought, becoming the first Fijian national team to qualify for a FIFA World Cup tournament. Having put in months of preparation Fiji were hot favourites, having finished top three in nine of the previous 19 editions, and given the home advantage that comes with playing host.

However they were by no means in for an easy run, with New Caledonia and Vanuatu having proven their prowess at youth level in 2013. Papua New Guinea and American Samoa were also out to stake their claim on the title, while dark horses Solomon Islands made a return to the international stage at this level and eyeing an upset of their own.

With a build-up campaign that saw them breeze past a number of notable Auckland-based clubs followed by two defeats at the hands of the New Zealand U-20 team Fiji were more than ready to compete come kick-off.

They opened the tournament with a 4-0 victory over American Samoa, a side which struggled with the pace of international football early in the match but settled after the break to retain a clean sheet in the second period. Next on their list was New Caledonia and where the Francophones struggled, the Fijians capitalised with Samuel Nabenia scoring almost immediately after the restart before Antonio Tuivuna sealed the 2-0 victory in the 65th minute. Papua New Guinea were

the next side to fall as Fiji continued their unbeaten run with a 3-0 win.

With just two sides left in the running for the title on Day 4, the match-up between Vanuatu and Fiji was hotly anticipated – and didn’t disappoint. Fiji were under the pump early with Vanuatu creating the majority of opportunities, but for their finishing. Vanuatu took the lead 22 minutes in thanks to a Bong Kalo strike, but three minutes later Fiji had equalised through Nickel Chand. Fiji captain Jale Dreola handed the home side the lead five minutes from the break but Vanuatu found an equaliser through Kerry Iawak in the second half to leave the two sides inseparable at the final whistle.

With Vanuatu winning their final match 4-2 against Papua New Guinea, Fiji were left with everything to do in the tournament’s closing encounter against Solomon Islands. They found themselves on the back-foot when Atkin Kaua opened the scoring just nine minutes in. Two goals in quick succession to Nickel Chand and Praneel Naidu gave Fiji the advantage in the 26 and 28th minutes respectively.

Despite some inspired attacks from Solomon Islands they couldn’t break down the Fiji defence for one last upset falling 2-1 and allowing Fiji to claim the 2014 OFC U-20 Championship title.

“This is not only a victory for Fiji Football Association but the whole country,” coach Ravinesh Kumar said at the final whistle.

Individual Awards Golden Ball:

Jacky Ruben

Golden Boot: Atkin Kaua 5 goals Golden Gloves:

[VAN] [SOL]

Misiwani Nairube [VAN]

Fair Play Award: Solomon Islands “We have been waiting to play in a FIFA world event for a long time and now we have managed to do so for the very first time in 76 years.”

Fiji are the first team to qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, being held from 30 May to 20 June 2015, and will join New Zealand in representing Oceania at the highest level.

History-making draw American Samoa made history on Sunday, 25 May when they earned a well-deserved 1-1 draw against Papua New Guinea.

The draw halted a run of seven straight defeats for the American Samoans dating back to 15 August 1998 and earned their first ever point at this level.

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2014 FIFA WORLD CUP™ Brazil The 2014 FIFA World Cup™ attracted record crowds on the ground in Brazil, captivated broadcast audiences and broke television viewing records worldwide as well as hitting all-time highs in streaming data traffic and digital participation.

Brazil played perfect hosts to an event that was thrilling from start to finish and ended in a fourth World Cup title for Germany after Mario Götze scored a thrilling extra-time goal to seal the win.

He became the first substitute to score a winning goal in a World Cup final, and is the youngest scorer of a goal in the final.

This World Cup will remain among the most memorable for many reasons.

The Netherlands 5-1 flogging of Spain got the upsets underway and the early exits of European powerhouses England, Italy and defending champions Spain will have come as no surprise to some — while shocking others. Australia performed valiantly in a tough group while Algeria, Chile, Costa Rica and USA’s progression to the round of 16 was a pleasant surprise.

And while the team performances were a sight to behold, the individuals who emerged on the world stage were equally as exciting. James Rodriguez’s six earned him the Golden Boot and saw him become the first player to score in his first five career World Cup appearances in one tournament since Gerd Müller in 1970. Miroslav Klose became the top scoring player in World Cup history with his semi-final strike against Brazil taking his tally to 16. Tim Howard, Manuel Neuer, Kaylor Nevas, Guillermo Ochoa, Tim Krul and even Iker Casillas put goalkeepers on the radar for better, or in some cases, worse.

The World Cup kept fans glued to their seats for the duration of the tournament, and in Oceania football fans kept up with every play despite the rather unfriendly time difference.

Leading the charge for Pacific Island fans were the footballmad Melanesians in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

Solomon Islands leapt up the Google Search Volume Index (SVI) with its searches for the term “World Cup” in an effort to keep on top of all the latest news from Brazil, with Vanuatu coming in a cool second.

The Google search volume index is calculated using the formula: SVI = Kw/T, where SVI is the search volume index, Kw is the amount of searches of a given keyword in a given period of time and T is a total number of searches on google.

Solomon Islands rounded out the tournament with an SVI of 100, while Vanuatu peaked at 94.

Vanuatu Football Federation media officer Harry Atisson says the fans in Vanuatu are crazy for the World Cup so it comes as no surprise they are ranked so high.

“Here in Vanuatu it’s like we have a team playing in Brazil, that’s how crazy everyone is about the World Cup.”

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Referees at FIFA World Cup™ Brazil 2014 Oceania may not have been without a team representative at the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Brazil but a small team of match officials were flying the flag for the region.

New Zealand referee Peter O’Leary was on the ground leading a trio made up of fellow Kiwis, assistant referees Mark Rule and Jan Hendrick Hintz, and representing Tahiti as the only French match official on the roster was Norbert Hauata.

O’Leary and his team were eased into the action as the New Zealand referee took on fourth official duties during Match 10 between Group E opponents France and Honduras, with Hintz providing back-up as the reserve assistant referee. Their tournament hit the highest of highs when O’Leary got the nod to control Nigeria’s Group F game against Bosnia Herzegovina in Match 28 of the tournament.

Hauta’s busy schedule got underway almost immediately in Natal as he was called into action as the fourth official of Match 2 between Group A side’s Mexico and Cameroon. He was once again in charge of the off-field action when Ghana played USA in their Group G encounter. Still in Natal, next up was the Group C game between Japan and Greece. Hauata headed off to Belo Horizonte for Match 27, once again taking up the role of fourth official when Argentina played Iran in Group F. It was then off to Curitiba for electrifying match between Australia and defending champions Spain in Group B. Hauata’s sixth and final appointment saw him once again manning the substitute’s board for the Round of 16 match between Belgium and USA in Salvador.

Watch out for these match officials FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Referee: Finau VULIVULI [FIJ] Assistant Referee: Jacqueline STEPHENSON [NZL] Sarah WALKER [NZL]

Youth Olympic Games Football Tournament Nanjing 2014 Men Referee: Abdelkader ZITOUNI [TAH] A ssistant Referee: Paul AHUPU [TAH] Terry PIRI [COK]

Women Referee: Anna-Marie KEIGHLEY [NZL] Assistant Referee: Nadia BROWNING [NZL] Lata I Sia KAUMATULE [TGA]

It’s a huge honour to represent your country and region at the World Cup, whether as a referee, a player or in any other role.

The four match officials have long been lauded as the cream of the current Oceania crop and OFC were pleased to see them representing the region with pride and honour.

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THE

BIG INTERVIEW Emerging as one of the stars of the documentary Next Goal Wins is 26-year-old Jaiyah Saelua — football’s first ever transgender player to take part in a World Cup qualifying match. She shares on her role in the tale of triumph over adversity when American Samoa overcame their 31-0 loss and the moniker of ‘worst team in the world’, her love for the beautiful game and how she’s never felt like the odd-one-out.

OFC Insider: What is it you love about the game?

Saelua: I started playing when I was 11 and one of the reasons I got hooked in the beginning is because it was co-ed, a mixed team, so we were able to have girls and boys playing together.

Seeing the girls playing just as tough as the boys did in the team, and me being a fa’afafine, made it seem like a sport that’s for everyone — which it is — and that’s what I learned at a young age. I think that’s what really resonated with me, that it can be a sport for anyone.

OFC Insider: Did you ever imagine early on that you would be playing for the national team?

Saelua: I was actually asked to play when I was 14 years old, from a try-out. That year I made it to the national team, I got drafted. But in ten years with the national team I never got to play.

In 2011 no one on that team was hungrier to play than I was. I had been reading the game for ten years, which is why when I got out on the pitch I played my heart out, I wanted to prove myself.

OFC Insider: In our region fa’afafine is a relatively accepted concept, but outside the Pacific it can become more of an issue.

Have you felt that at all?

Saelua: Not really, but I sort of had to educate myself on the issue outside of the Pacific region. I know New Zealand and the Oceania Football Confederation is very open minded about the issue but I had to do some research about how the US or the UK or the Middle East perceive the idea of transgender athletes in soccer. I was saddened by what I found.

OFC Insider: When you were part of the American Samoa team you were just another player on the team, what did you discover about the rest of the world?

Saelua: The inequality is what kind of shocked me the most.

The fact that I come from Samoa or American Samoa culture, where fa’afafine are widely accepted and we are able to pursue whatever career we want to — to the highest of our potential — because the culture allows for us to succeed in whatever we

OFC Insider

want to do. With me being so interested in soccer, playing for the national team, and having to learn about transgender athletes not being able to represent their countries and not having the equal opportunities kind of saddened me. It’s kind of unfair that I didn’t have to go through any obstacles, I didn’t have to fight anyone to earn a spot on the national team and but it’s very unfair to other transgender in the world that don’t have the opportunity. A lot of people see me as an inspiration but I didn’t do anything, it’s not like I had to overcome any obstacles or fight any battles. I was just very lucky to be part of a community that’s very accepting.

I think the world outside the Pacific region can learn a lot from Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia. The culture is so strong in each of our countries and there’s the acceptance and opportunities are available for fa’afafine. It just catches me off-guard that there are countries in the world that don’t accept — I’m glad I did my research.

OFC Insider: Does the global assumption that you must have had to overcome obstacles to get where you are come as surprise?

Saelua: Since we started promoting the film I’ve done a lot of interviews where I’m asked what obstacles I’ve had to deal with and the response is always of surprise when I respond with ‘none’. It’s been pretty much an easy ride for me with the national team, except when we’ve had foreign coaches from France or Australia. You know, different cultures that come in and don’t give me any game time simply because I’m a transgender. That’s the most discrimination I’ve had to experience, but it was refreshing to have a coach in Thomas Rongen who didn’t see me for who I was, but for what I can offer the team. I’m very proud to have been part of the team that was able to secure their first win and I feel very proud that I was able to have a hand — or a foot — in that.

OFC Insider: You mentioned some of the coaches that put up barriers, and then Thomas coming in he didn’t seem to have that same approach to it?

Saelua: Yeah. Before he came I was expecting to see another coach come in and put me on the side-line, or another coach who doesn’t care about any of us. But it was different with him. He wanted to meet our families, he wanted to connect with us personally off the pitch. And I think the turning point for me was when he asked whether I wanted to be called Jaiyah or Johnny? For him to even acknowledge or recognise that I was different, made me willing to learn from him and I think his relationship with all the players became more intimate and meant we were all more willing to learn from him and grow as players — not only as people, but as players. I was very proud and honoured to be able to learn from such a decorated coach and I’m very grateful he gave me the opportunity to play and looked past the fact I’m a transgender, a fa’afafine, but gave me the opportunity to showcase my skills on the pitch.

OFC Insider:After the qualifiers you moved to Hawai’i to study and play, but weren’t so accepted by the football team there?

Saelua: I went to the University of Hawai’i at Hilo on the big island and they have a really bad team. They’re a Division 2 team but they don’t win many games. For the coach to not even…I mean, 15 minutes into the warm up he asked me go home because he doesn’t want to put his team in an uncomfortable position. I was walking home and I found myself thinking, this team sucks anyway, they need my help. If they don’t want it, ok, it’s not going to traumatise me, it’s not going to affect my feelings towards the sport. I still love soccer and to have to deal with some discrimination in Hawai’i didn’t affect my passion for playing.

OFC Insider: One thing under the spotlight at the moment in the world of football is racism. What is your stance on that?

Saelua: It’s shocking to me, I’ve learned a lot in school about racism, but it’s shocking to me that in the 21st Century, with the world being so modern now, that racism still exists. I was under the impression that we as humans have evolved into a world where race isn’t an issue anymore with anything — but in soccer, and in several other areas, it still is. In soccer it shouldn’t be an issue, I mean everyone in the world plays soccer and I think it should be mainly about what people are able to bring to the field instead of who they are or their background. Racism is a pretty big issue now despite us living in an age when it shouldn’t exist.

OFC Insider: What’s it like seeing yourself on the big screen?

Saelua: Seeing the film I look pretty awful on camera. No makeup, no manicure, but I guess it’s all — like I say in the film — once I get to business with soccer I put everything aside. I don’t play as a transgender.

I don’t play as a member of the Men’s National Team, even though I am. I don’t play as a fa’afafine. I go onto the pitch knowing that I’m a soccer player representing my country and that’s what it’s all about. It shouldn’t be about who I am, but about who I represent.

OFC Insider: Watching the movie, does it bring back a lot of emotions from that experience?

Saelua: Oh my god, you have no idea. Every time I see watch it I laugh when something funny happens. Thomas Rongen is a very serious man, but he can be really funny and in the film you can see that for yourself. I get very emotional when I have to relive the 2011 Games. I have so much pride in our win against Tonga and so much disappointment in our tie against Cook Islands.

Only because it was our game, our own fullback headed the ball into his own net and that tied the game for us. Very disappointed with the game with Western Samoa but having to relive 2011 through the film I can’t help but get emotional that I was a part of that team.

OFC Insider: You’re now hoping to be part of the next qualifying round?

Saelua: Yes! Because we did so well I decided to delay my operation, I think the message there is that soccer has a higher priority in my life than my transition. A lot of my friends are getting the breast augmentation, the castration, the laser, the hormone treatment, and they’re all improving and getting closer to their feminine look that I want so bad. But I’ve put that on hold.

I’d rather play soccer than look beautiful!

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FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup

New Zealand Junior Football Ferns are gearing up to take on three top footballing nations at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in August and all going to plan they’re in with a good shot.

FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014

Coach Aaron McFarland, a former Auckland City coach who also led the U-20 side with distinction at Japan 2012, has named a youthful, but experienced, side.

An impressive total of ten players have earned senior international call ups. Led by captain Katie Bowen who has 18 Football Ferns caps, the Junior Football Ferns include five other players; Stephanie Skilton, Evie Millynn, Megan Lee, CJ Bott and Meikayla Moore, who have seen top level playing time.

Four others in the squad – Martine Puketapu, Lily Alfeld, Emile Jensen and Daisy Cleverley, have been part of the Football Ferns tours in recent times. Meanwhile a further three players Puketapu, Cleverley and Isabella Coombes – were key members of the Young Football Ferns side which competed at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica earlier this year.

McFarland believes such know-how will be a valuable asset for his team during the pressure cooker atmosphere of a World Cup. “You’ll see how those players show a maturity on the field where they are able to express themselves fully and be composed under the pressure of an international,” he said.

After a clean-sweep of the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship in February, New Zealand stepped up their preparations for Canada 2014 with a recent two-match series in Brazil. The Kiwis returned home having benefitted from the experience, despite suffering narrow 3-1 and 1-0 defeats against the South American powerhouse.

“One of the major things we learned from Brazil was that when we were able to control possession for longer periods of time we were able to be more incisive and make more attacking quarter entries. On the flip side, that leads to us not having to defend as much, so physically we are a lot better towards the end of games.”

“We also want to press quite high up the pitch and be successful in doing that cohesively and we’ve made huge steps in that area.”

JUNIOR FOOTBALL FERNS MATCH SCHEDULE

New Zealand vs. Paraguay 8pm / Wednesday 6 August / Montreal (Thursday 7 August, midday NZT)

New Zealand vs. France 5pm / Saturday 9 August / Montreal (Sunday 10 August, 9am NZT)

New Zealand vs. Costa Rica

5pm / Wednesday 13 August / Toronto (Thursday 14 August, 9am NZT)

Those on-field objectives will have a major bearing on whether the team is able to become the first Junior Football Ferns side to reach the knockout phase of this event, a goal McFarland isn’t shying away from.

“Naturally everyone wants to do well and I suppose historically we’ve got that goal of getting out of the group. If this team can highlight our strengths and perform well under the pressure we put on ourselves at these World Cups then I think we have a really good chance of reaching that objective.”

Standing in the way will be Group D opponents France, Costa Rica and Paraguay and McFarland has done his homework, viewing several matches played by each of the three nations.

“Having won the U-17s tournament in 2012, France will be the strongest team on paper in this group and they’ll be a real challenge. Paraguay made the U-17s this year and it looks like investment in the women’s programme is bearing fruit at international level. Costa Rica could be a similar story to Paraguay; they’re an emerging nation but will each pose a threat from what is quite a strong region in women’s football.”

OFC Insider

Inclusion is key for Vanuatu’s Meriam Jack Under normal circumstances Meriam Jack could only dream of playing football alongside her peers. The three-year-old from Tanna was born without a right hand or right foot, making physical activity difficult.

However a Just Play Festival held in Port Vila Stadium in early July opened up all kinds of doors for the youngster who relished running alongside her friends kicking a ball.

Social and Disability Inclusion is a key message promoted by the Just Play Programme and Vanuatu Just Play Project Manager Rorona Kalsakau says it is encouraging to see the benefits it has on children like Meriam.

“I felt sorry for Meriam and all her friends but it’s good to see them happy and that’s why the Just Play Programme is here today, to give all these special children the right to education and play.”

Kalsakau told parents in attendance at the festival, that in the long run, facing and overcoming a challenge can help children grow stronger and more resilient. Something she believes is already evident in Meriam.

“Always remember that the way you behave and respond to a challenge has a big impact on your child. A good attitude won’t solve the problems associated with a learning disability, but it can give hope and confidence that things can improve or that he or she will eventually succeed.”

The Just Play Programme is one place where acceptance, attitude and confidence-building can begin and for Meriam Jack the results are out.

“Mi laekem Just Play!”

(I love Just Play)

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Just Play heading to Glasgow 2014 International singing superstar Nicole Scherzinger and Scottish football legend Sir Alex Ferguson are two of the star-studded names who will appear in the global fundraising first at the Glasgow 2014 Opening Ceremony on 23 July.

Glasgow 2014, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and UNICEF have forged a ground-breaking partnership – with the ambition of improving the lives of children in every country in the Commonwealth by raising money for the Children of the Commonwealth Fund, in the run-up to and during the Games.

Spectators, athletes and an expected one billion viewers from across the Commonwealth will all have the chance to play their part in the ceremony and be invited to Put Children First, by making a donation via a text number or url which will create a powerful Games legacy for children.

Immediately benefitting from the fundraising efforts in the lead up to and during Glasgow 2014 will be six UNICEF programmes, one in each region of the Commonwealth, including UNICEF Pacific’s partnership with OFC’s Just Play Programme.

“It is a huge honour for Just Play to be chosen as one of six global UNICEF-supported partners as part of this groundbreaking partnership with Glasgow 2014,” says OFC Head of Social Responsibility and International Relations Franck Castillo.

“Making sport fun is the main philosophy guiding Just Play.

We recognise that children who have a positive experience in physical activity early on in life are more likely to develop good exercise habits as they get older.”

Karen Allen, UNICEF Pacific Representative, said: “We see this as a critical link to helping to reduce risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases, an issue that is affecting many communities within this region.”

Through Just Play, UNICEF Pacific and OFC give a child a ball, a coach and a safe place to play. The programme shows children how to have fun with other children, be physically active and become confident in their abilities. With a focus on children aged 6-12 years, Just Play encourages participation in football-related activities, while also addressing social issues relevant to the Pacific.

The programme has reached over 150,000 children, trained 2,741 community volunteers and teachers and created 55 new jobs in 11-Pacific Islands countries.

Recognised as the leading sport for development programme in the Pacific, Just Play is working with key stakeholders including the Australian Government (Australian Aid and Australia Sports Commission), the Football Federation of Australia, UEFA and UNICEF Pacific to increase its programme scope and reach.

Thanks to UNICEF’s partnership with Glasgow 2014 and the Commonwealth Games Federation, Just Play and its achievements in the Pacific will be showcased to the wider Commonwealth community — as one of the programmes being supported by this unique partnership.

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First OFC Mascot unveiled in Brazil After 48 years of existence, Oceania Football Confederation now have their first ever mascot, Pasifi-ika, which made its debut at the FIFA World Cup™ in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

OFC’s new mascot was the creation of Year 8 students from DAV Primary School in Ba, Fiji Islands. The classmates participated in the recent OFC Mascot Competition that was run through the OFC Just Play Programme, in conjunction with partners UNICEF and the Australian Sports Commission.

OFC Head of Social Responsibility and International Relations, Franck Castillo, said that the goal was to come up with a mascot that represents the social values of the organisation and its partnerships.

“The OFC mascot will become a presence at all OFC activities, including competitions, and will promote the positive value of sports including important lessons or messages associated with the Just Play Programme in the Pacific,” said Castillo.

Pasifi-ika’s entry was accompanied by the following description: “The mascot chosen represents our rich ocean and its ecosystem. It also reflects how Pacific countries treasure their marine life and mineral resources.”

“The top part of the dolphin is coloured blue, yellow and green which represents the OFC logo. The light blue in the middle represents our lovely Pacific Ocean, and the golden colour represents the vast amount of mineral resources that boosts the Pacific economy.”

“The brown colour represents the Melanesian group and the tapa print represents the Polynesian group. This makes our Pacific Islands unique and rich in cultural diversity.”

The Fiji winners will receive a brand new computer for their school pre-loaded with educational and teaching resources thanks to UNICEF. The winning team will also be given a set of exclusive OFC t-shirts for the class as part of their prize package.

The next stage will see a song competition launched in September 2014 which will become the anthem for Pasifi-ika as it travels around Oceania.

Futsal draw unveiled The five teams involved in the OFC Futsal Championship Invitational now know the route they must take to become champions after confirmation of the official draw.

Four OFC member associations will take part in the tournament — New Caledonia, New Zealand, Tahiti and Vanuatu — and will be joined by one member of the Asian confederation, last year’s Invitational runners-up, Malaysia.

The tournament will be held at Arène du Sud, Paita, New Caledonia from August 12-16.

The teams will compete in a round robin system with the team finishing top of the table at the end of Match Day 5 the competition winners.

The match schedule has been confirmed as per below Match Day 1 – August 12

Match Day 4 – August 15

Malaysia v New Zealand / kick-off 18h00 (local)

Vanuatu v Malaysia / kick-off 18h00 (local)

Vanuatu v Tahiti / kick-off 20h00 (local)

New Caledonia v New Zealand / kick-off 20h00 (local)

New Caledonia / bye

Tahiti / bye

Match Day 2 – August 13

Match Day 5 – August 16

Tahiti v New Caledonia / kick-off 18h00 (local)

New Zealand v Tahiti / kick-off 18h00 (local)

New Zealand v Vanuatu / kick-off 20h00 (local)

Malaysia v New Caledonia / kick-off 20h00 (local)

Malaysia / bye

Vanuatu / bye

Match Day 3 – August 14 New Caledonia v Vanuatu / kick-off 18h00 (local) Tahiti v Malaysia / kick-off 20h00 (local) New Zealand / bye

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NEWS FROM MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

Sinisa Tua of American Samoa

Hekari United of Papua New Guinea

Jarvis Alatise of Samoa

American Samoa

Samoa

American Samoa’s national U-20 squad earned the nation’s first point at this level after their historic 1-1 draw with Papua New Guinea during the 2014 OFC U-20 Championship. The Tafuna Jets retained their grasp in the Women’s 7-a-Side League title, while in the men’s division Lion Heart held of favourites FC SBKC to earn a 1-0 victory and secure the men’s title.

Samoa Football Federation advertised for a new CEO after current CEO Sarai Bareman announced her resignation in late May. Savai’i played willing host to the new Just Play Programme content with plenty of children taking on board the healthy living message. Jarvis Alatise played a starring role in the new FFS ‘FUN football’ television commercial. The 11-year-old got his first taste of football in the Just Play Programme and continues to develop his football skills in the FFS Centre of Excellence.

Cook Islands Two neighbouring islands restricted their rivalry to the football field as Rakahanga defeated Manihiki in both men’s and women’s divisions during a fun and festive tournament. No Ordinary Family and Tupapa Qweenz held aloft the trophies in the men’s and women’s Senior Five-A-Side, while the junior competition continues.

Fiji The national U-20 team ended a long drought when it laid claim to the OFC U-20 Championship title on home soil to claim the vacant Oceania qualifying berth at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup. After a difficult return to the OFC Champions League earlier this year, Nadi rediscovered their form to successfully defend their Fiji FACT title.

New Caledonia The U-20 Caledonian squad’s false start in Fiji saw them struggle their way to a third-place finish at the 2014 OFC U-20 Championship. After a brief intermission the national Super Ligue and the lower leagues got back underway in July. The Fédération Calédonienne de Football appointed a new General Secretary, Nicholas Guillemard to up his role in early July.

New Zealand The New Zealand trio of match officials, referee Peter O’Leary and assistant referees Jan Hendrick Hintz and Mark Rule, were appointed to the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ group stage match between Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Football Ferns played a two-match series at home against Brazil — their first home matches in 27 — drawing the first 2-1 in Auckland and following it up with a 0-0 stalemate in Taupo. The 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup Local Organising Committee gifted the New Zealand futsal community with an international standard, portable futsal pitch as part of the tournament’s legacy.

Papua New Guinea Hekari United made it nine in-a-row when they took out the National Soccer League grand final against Lae FC. The national U-15 side have held two camps in preparation for their appearance at the Youth Olympic Games in August.

Port Moresby Soccer Association took out the men’s and women’s divisions of the Southern Leg of the Besta FA Cup to qualify for September’s finals.

Solomon Islands The first Just Play workshop to be held in the Solomon Islands since 2012 got underway in mid-June in the presence of OFC Just Play technical coordinator Emmie Sope. A FIFA MA Youth Coaching Course and a FIFA MA Refereeing Course were both held in Honiara during June.

Tahiti Tahiti referee Norbert Hauata represented Oceania as a fourth official at the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Brazil. In a bid to find the next Hauata, a FIFA Referee Instructor course was held at the FTF Technical Centre. The 2014 Top 10 Futsal Cup found its champion in Punaauia who beat Pirae 2-1 in the final.

Tonga Tonga welcomed the first hybrid FIFA Futsal and Beach Soccer Coaching Course in mid-May. OFC Futsal and Beach Soccer Development Officer Paul Toohey delivered three days of futsal and two of beach soccer providing an introduction to the two disciplines. TFA played return host to a group of U-17 Coerver women with the U-17 national team, a Centre of Excellence side and an U-20 women’s mix playing the New Zealanders over three matches. The visitors also conducted a humanitarian project “Healing Hands across the Pacific”, bringing school and football equipment to two Tongan schools.

Vanuatu An OFC Futsal Coaching Course Level 2 was held in Port Vila with the expertise of OFC Futsal Development Officer Paul Toohey and OFC futsal coach-mentor Juliano Schmeling both being called on. The course was timed perfectly to give the national team some insights ahead of the upcoming OFC Futsal Championship Invitiational in August. Tafea FC and Amicale FC dominated the VFF National Super League and will compete in this weekend’s final for the title.

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COMPETITIONS Youth Olympic Games 14-27 August / Nanjing, China Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014 5-24 August New Zealand OFC Futsal Championship Invitational 2014 12-16 August / Noumea, New Caledonia New Caledonia/Vanuatu/Tahiti/New Zealand/Malaysia *All dates correct at the time of publication

NOTICES Anna Iosefa joined Football Federation Samoa as the new Media and Communications Officer.

Former Football Federation Samoa (FFS) CEO Sarai Bareman is set to take up a role at the OFC as Operations Manager. Bareman will take up her new position in August.

Nicholas Guillemard has been named as the new CEO for Federation Caledonienne de Football (FCF).

OBITUARIES Herve Malere The Oceania Football Confederation joined Vanuatu Football Federation in mourning the loss of the Member Association’s accountant Herve Malere. The 48-year-old was a long-time servant of the game, previously acting as VFF CEO and playing a crucial role on the Local Organising Committee of the 2013 OFC U-17 Championship.

Glen Dossonville Vanuatu Football Federation mourned the loss of former futsal national team manager Glen Dossonville. He played a significant role in the development of futsal in Vanuatu and can be credited with helping lay the groundwork for the current success of futsal in Vanuatu.

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