Twenty six local women’s football coaches are aiming to upskill by attending a FIFA Women's Coaching Course in Vanuatu.
The course – which ends today at the Vanuatu Football Federation Academy – features coaches from eight of Vanuatu’s football member associations.
VFF women’s football development officer Joel Rarua says it comes at a time when women’s football is blossoming in the country.
“Vanuatu won the bronze medal at the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship in Tonga last month, and overall indications are that women’s football is growing here," Rarua says.
“With this course we can update our knowledge and techniques and help to better develop our elite female football players in the country.
"We have big goals for women’s football in Vanuatu, and holding a course like this can only help us to achieve them.”
The course is run by OFC Women’s Football Development Officer Nicola Demain and helps coaches to understand ways to oversee different levels of women’s football, from U-12 children through to the elite levels.
Course content includes presentations on developing training sessions and identifying and solving issues around technical delivery.
Rarua says once the 26 coaches have been through the course he will look to implement more grassroots programmes across Vanuatu.
"After the course it will be much easier to set up successful grassroots programmes around the communities because the coaches will have a better understanding of what they are doing,” Rarua says.
“It will allow us to create the best environment where girls can train as quality football players and hopefully advance to play for the national team in the future.”