Pacific leaders witness ground-breaking OFC agreement

Football has taken centre stage at the 40th Pacific Island Leaders Forum (PIF) in Cairns this afternoon with the signing of an AU$4 million partnership agreement between Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), the Government of Australia and Football Federation Australia (FFA).

The landmark agreement, which aims to deliver sports-based programs that contribute to community development in the Pacific, was signed at the Cairns Convention Centre where 17 Heads of Government are gathered for the annual regional meeting.

OFC President Reynald Temarii addressed the leaders and said a special thank you to Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for his support.

“On behalf of OFC and the Oceania football family, I would like to express my sincerest thanks to the Australian Government for its role in this partnership,” said President Temarii.

“Together with the Australian Sports Outreach Program and FFA, we will be able to use the development of football to improve the lives of individuals, families and communities throughout Oceania.”

The agreement outlines how OFC, FFA and the Government of Australia – through its agencies the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) – will work together to deliver development projects throughout the Pacific over a three-year period.

These projects will include initiatives such as OFC ‘Just Play’ – a grassroots program that promotes physical activity (especially but not only football) for children aged 6-13 and encourages community involvement. ‘Just Play’ is already well established in OFC’s 11 Member Associations but is now set to expand.

Under the new agreement, OFC and ASC will undertake the planning and delivery of projects while FFA will provide close support including the supply of football equipment. FFA will also coordinate the cooperation of the parties.

The Australian Government meanwhile expects to contribute AU$4 million over a three-year period from July 2009 to June 2012.

FFA CEO Ben Buckley, who also spoke at today’s signing, says it is the intention of all parties to extend the agreement beyond this term.

"All of us at Football Australia are excited by this opportunity to contribute to capacity building in Pacific Island communities and to contribute to improved health and education outcomes through sustained participation in sport.

"We look forward to working with Oceania Football Confederation, through the leadership of Reynald Temarii, to achieve outstanding results over the coming years."

The partnership includes funding and support for the Pacific Youth and Sport Conference (PSYC) set to take place in Manukau, New Zealand, from 8-13 March 2010. PSYC is an OFC initiative aimed at bringing together regional stakeholders to discuss how sport can play a role in advancing health, fostering community development, reducing anti-social behavior and building strong bonds among young people in the Pacific.