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Activity Report
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Activity Report
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PRESIDENT'S FOREWORD It has been a year unlike any other in recent history. The global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted on the population in almost every corner of the world. Yet while we often consider our relative isolation to be a hinderance to the development of football in the region, in a time of global disruption without precedent, our geographical remoteness has largely been a blessing. Our biggest challenge has been the cancellation or postponement of international competition. This has disrupted the World Cup qualifying programme for our senior men, while our youth competitions have also been adversely affected. While government responses have differed across the region, the swift reaction of most, and the vigilance they have maintained to curb the spread of the virus via speedily implemented border restrictions, has meant that most nations have been able to return to relative normality quickly. Being COVID-19 free, or without community transmission allowed football to swiftly restart across the majority of our 11 Member Associations. The Confederation-wide strategy is to see two competitive teams at the 2026 men’s and 2027 women’s World Cups.
Remaining focused on this objective has been at the forefront as we have redeveloped our approach to football development in this unfamiliar environment. With the on-going support of FIFA, OFC has played a significant role in keeping Member Associations focused on the big picture, quickly adapting its processes to maintain support and engagement. Courses building capacity, fitness workshops, coaching courses, and developmental activities have been adapted to suit the expanding online environment. A key priority during my term as OFC President, is to assist our Member Associations to build their knowledge and skills. This will be paramount to the success of our 2026 strategy and I am delighted that we have been able to maintain this during these difficult times. OFC continues to build the foundation for success across the region by setting the standard for good governance, accountability, and transparency, not only in its leadership but through its willingness to bring our Member Associations along with us. The newly launched OFC Development Programme has been designed to ensure that this is the case, providing the funding required to build the capacity across key areas of development, both on and away from the pitch.
The Confederation holds a deep responsibility for its people and its communities. Ensuring we build their capability is key to our collective longterm success. In the short-term, that has meant guaranteeing those people and communities are still active when we exit the worst of the pandemic. The OFC Solidarity Fund, with support from FIFA Forward 2.0, is one way we have maintained a high level of assistance to those most in need. I would like to congratulate Australia and New Zealand for the success of their As One bid to co-host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. This is an incredibly exciting achievement for these two nations, but also for our wider Asia-Pacific region. It will be a tournament of many firsts. For Oceania, the additional half-spot is a first of particular interest. A second Oceania team has the opportunity, via the newly introduced qualifying tournament, to progress to the Women’s World Cup for the first time.
COVID-19 Relief Plan and Solidarity Fund were both available to Oceania. We are incredibly grateful to FIFA President Gianni Infantino and his staff for ensuring the swift and safe return of football. I also want to acknowledge the support we have received via UEFA Assist to develop and implement our E-Learning Platform and Education Programme. I’d like to welcome Lord Ve’ehala as the third Vice-President of the OFC Executive Committee and thank the entire committee for its forward thinking and proactive decision-making throughout this challenging year. Finally, I wish to end by thanking you all for your patience and for your continued support over the past 12 months. It has been a challenging year but your response and continued drive and passion to push Oceania football to new heights has been seen and is greatly appreciated. We are on the right track to achieve our collective vision to have two teams qualify for both the FIFA World Cup 2026 and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.
The OFC Women’s Football Strategy is currently being developed for launch in 2021 and we can see that across the region, our Member Associations are taking this opportunity seriously. I wish to express, once again, my thanks to FIFA for its support in ensuring the
Lambert Maltock OFC President
