Gordon Glen Watson Biography

Steven Holloway Biography

FRED GUILLEMONT BIOGRAPHY

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Tai Nicholas Biography

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OFC Football For Life

In recognition of the central role football plays in Oceania society, OFC’s Football for Life is a key part in social development within the region.

Football For Life was launched in 2007 to help tsunami victims in the Solomon Islands and aims to finance and support humanitarian aid throughout Oceania’s Pacific communities.

After the 2007 tsunami that hit Western Province and Gizo, OFC organised two charity matches between New Zealand and Fiji to help raise money. FIFA contributed $50,000 USD towards the match.

OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas said FIFA's input into helping make the Fiji vs. New Zealand XI charity matches a success was crucial.

"FIFA's decision to assist with this project was an essential element in not only making these games successful but it shows that the world governing body has the welfare and well-being of the Oceania football family firmly in mind both on and off the field. The power of football to make a difference in the lives of all people the world over has been expressed through this kind gesture by the FIFA President and FIFA itself and to that end OFC is extremely grateful," Nicholas said.

OFC’s partnership with Vodafone was also a key factor in realising Football for Hope.

Moving into 2008, Football For Life continued to play a key role in social development. During the OFC Olympic Football Tournaments for men and women, OFC partnered with UNAIDS to organise and promote ‘STOP HIV Day.’ The men’s tournament held in Fiji on 8 March featured interactive promotional displays and dedicated messages inserted into the pre-match ceremony. All captains of the six participating nations delivered an HIV/AIDS awareness message before their respective matches.

UNAIDS representative Joanna Ferris was delighted by the response of all teams. “The captains were fantastic in their support of this cause.  The aim of the project is to utilize the power of sport – in this case football – to deliver education on HIV.  Football has helped break down barriers, promote self-esteem, and it can teach life skills and healthy behaviour.”

The campaign was also coordinated in Port Moresby, with the help of Andrew Lepani, as the national women’s teams of Papua New Guinea and New Zealand lined up for the OFC Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. 

Coinciding with International Women’s Day, the campaign was boosted by Dame Carol Kidu – Minister of Community Development and OFC’s member on the FIFA Committee for Fair Play and Social Responsibility – and the support of EMTV. 

OFC President Reynald Temarii was pleased that football was used as a medium to promote gender balance.

“It is important that people across Oceania see that women’s football can help to combat domestic violence and address issues such as HIV/AIDS. OFC, PNGFA, NZF and EMTV are proud to be associated with this cause.”

Also, in 2008, OFC and the Auckland Regional Council (ARC), joined forces to stage “The Beautiful Game” that featured Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise LA Galaxy in a friendly match with an Oceania All Stars XI at Mount Smart Stadium on December 6, 2008. LA Galaxy’s squad featured England international David Beckham alongside a host of international stars.

For the first time in OFC history an Oceania All Stars squad was assembled and featured three “guest” players – Christian Karembeu, Mark Bosnich and Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids. The team was coached by OFC Technical Director Jim Selby and former New Zealand international Colin Tuaa. Patrick Jacquemet and Simon Eaddy provided further support.

The match was played in support of KidsCan and John Walker’s Find your Field of Dreams – two charities that link in with the philosophy of OFC Football for Life.

‘The Beautiful Game’ had a significant reach with 14 countries in the region accessing live coverage of the match. A total of 6.5 million enjoyed the action as well as around 100 million throughout North, Central and America.

OFC will continue to look for future opportunities to use Football For Life as a means of support social development in the Pacific.

OFC Partnerships

OFC President/FIFA Vice-President Reynald Temarii recognises that football touches the hearts and minds of people the world over – its passion, wonder and ability to draw people together in the spirit of fairplay regardless of race, colour, religion knows no limits. 

To this end, Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and the United Nations (UN) have worked closely to use the power of football to promote the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/ ) to help combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, gender balance, hunger, poverty, child mortality, maternal health, and environmental sustainability, develop global partnerships. 

The popularity of football in the Oceania region can be seen at venues across the South Pacific – whether it is 25,000 fans in Solomon Islands for an OFC U-20 Men’s international match, or 10,000 fans in Fiji watching an OFC O-League match, or 8,000 fans in Papua New Guinea watching the OFC U-12 Festival of Football (below).   

OFC’s unique football family is a diverse one scattered across a wide expanse of ocean incorporating thousands of languages, cultures, ethnicities – but each of these nations is not without its social problems. 

Therefore, OFC’s desire to promote good health, education, through the values and enjoyment of the game of football is a hand in glove fit with the UN’s Millennium Development Goals.

OFC has formed special relationships with a raft of non-Government organisations such as the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, South Pacific Forum and Alliance Francaise.

OFC has also worked closely with the Governments of Samoa, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu toward implementing its "Just Play" football programmes as part of the education curriculum in schools.

"Just Play" - the brainchild of OFC Head of Technical Development, Jim Selby - encourages children to play football, pursue good health, good eating habits, physical activity, and encourage technical development and enjoyment of the sport.

In January 2007, OFC opened the Kila Kila Mini-Pitch artificial playing surface in one of the poorest areas of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, in the presence of FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter.

The OFC Kila Kila mini-pitch is a physical embodiment of football's ability to reach out and help improve the quality of life of members of its football family.

Founded: 1938
Affiliated to FIFA: 1963

President:
Dr M.S. Sahu Khan

Senior Vice President:
Dr Hari Kewal

Vice Presidents:
Mohammed Yusuf
Ashok Balgovind
Sheik Ibrahim
Surend Rama
Hari Naicker

Executive Secretary/CEO:
Bob Sant Kumar

Treasurer: N/A

Technical Director:

Carlos Buzzetti

Development Officer:

Farouk Janeman

Members:
Ashok Patel
Susan Rao
Umesh Prasad

Team Colours:
Shirt - White
Shorts - Blue
Socks - Blue

Founded: 1974
Affiliated to FIFA: 1994

President:
Lee Harmon

Vice President:
Allen Parker

Treasurer:
Jake Numanga

Administration Officer:

Mii Piri

National Development Officer:

Jimmy Katoa

Regional Development Officer:

Robert Savage

Team Colours:
Shirt - White with green stripes
Shorts - Green
Socks - Green