Emmie Sope

Maltock leads tributes for Sope

Maltock said Sope will leave a large hole in the football landscape following years of tireless work in football development and with the OFC Just Play Programme.

“Emmie has always been incredibly passionate not just about progressing football, but in helping develop the people on the ground in our communities across the Pacific.

OFC mourning friend and colleague

Humble, strong, generous and wise, Emmie has been a crucial cog in the success of the OFC Just Play Programme as the technical coordinator, but her work in football and this region extends much further, OFC said in a press release.

"As our colleague, we were privileged to work alongside Emmie. Her passion for football development, for gender equality, for the rights of women and children and the development of the communities she visited was unrivalled."