Vanuatu Football Association Technical Director Peter Takaro believes there is a need for the eight member associations to better women competition in their respective areas.
The call came following the women recent achievement in the OFC Women’s U-19 championship in Rarotonga where the Vanuatu women finished in fourth place.
Even though finishing fourth on the table they deserve to be recognized and honored for their effort especially when they are being scouted from school’s competition.
Takaro explained one of their main challenges they face for women football in the country is not having enough women competition like the local league and district competitions, which forces to adopt to school system and scout players from schools with the assistance of the Ministry of Education.
“In the history of Vanuatu Football we do not have women’s league games, this is the responsibility of the eight member associations. This is one of our biggest challenge we are facing, we have to scout our national team girls from the school competitions.
“We need to have more girls in the system and it’s hard to get them in. We are grateful that with the partnership of the Ministry of Education, we have implemented development programmes in schools in previous years which have allowed us to increase our number of players,” Takaro said.
Takaro mentioned the only active clubs are Port Vila Football Associations and Tafea Football Associations who have their women competitions and select their best players to go into the national squad.
“If the eight member associations are active then we will see this as a way forward for Vanuatu Football and will be competitive in the Pacific,” he added.
The International Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) provides funding for women football development and Takaro urges the eight member associations which includes Torba, Penama, Sanma, Malampa, Luganvile, Shefa, Port Vila and Tafea Football Associations to strengthen women competitions.
Photo supplied Caption: Vanuatu National U19 Team