To consolidate the foundations of the collaboration that unites the Forward programmes with its member associations in Oceania, the FIFA administration organised a workshop this week in Tahiti, French Polynesia, from 8 to 11 April 2019. On the agenda, the member associations (MAs) are being provided with a detailed presentation related to the second implementation of the international body’s most important development programme.

Ten member associations originating from the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) are attending the workshop, namely American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tonga, Vanuatu. The workshop is being held alongside the annual Festival des Iles, an event which has received funding through the FIFA Forward Development Programme to assist the Tahiti Football Federation (FTF) over the past two years.

Following the successful implementation of the first edition of FIFA Forward 2016-2018, “FIFA Forward 1.0”, the second edition, “FIFA Forward 2.0” came into force on 1 January 2019 and will run until 31 December 2022. Sanjeevan C Balasingam, FIFA Director of Member Associations for Asia and Oceania, who is leading the delegation shared a few words with the attendees. "With strong support from FIFA, the OFC region member associations (MAs) are now fully focusing on football development, strong governance structures, and projects that have a lasting impact and provide a legacy for football in the whole region.”

The discussions taking place during the meetings are crucial for the development of football in the region. Franck Castillo, the OFC General Secretary who is representing his organisation said, "this workshop which is uniting the OFC family allows us to first share best practices and success study cases from our region. It also encourages us to exchange about our own challenges as we know them. To grow further, we need to build and succeed together."

Thierry Ariiotima, FTF’s acting President, wished to welcome the stakeholders and took the opportunity to remind them how impactful such workshops can appear to be by delivering outstanding and long-lasting outcomes. "Enjoy the seminar, reach out and exchange with those with similar strengths and experiences and make use of the expertise of the professionals from our region and FIFA who are here to work with you."