The OFC U15 girl’s tournament began this week with four female coaches guiding the young players in each game.
The tournament focuses on improving skills of young players and also aims to develop referees and coaches for the upcoming OFC U16 girls tournament hosted in Fiji later this year.
This year will be the first time the development tournament has included girls, following its initiation last year with the U15 boys.
Former national rep Louisa Simmons led the team as the first head coach in their debut match against Samoa and guided them through the 13-0 victory.
Speaking to FijiLive, Simmons says that the coaching baton will now be passed to Former National Kulas Skipper Jotivini Tabua for the second game against Samoa.
Former National and Ba Rep Aliza Hussein will guide the third game against Tahiti, while Fiji FA’s Talent ID Officer Annette Nainima will take charge of the final match next week.
“This is a learning opportunity for us, I have been assistant coach and even manager but this is the first time for me guiding the girls as head coach in a match, and it’s the same for others as well,” explained Simmons.
National Women’s Coach Angeline Chua oversees the development of the coaches and provides them with guidance.
“With Chua’s assistance, we gained more confidence. We don’t really show that we are new to this because we guide the girls from our knowledge as former players, and now the players are more comfortable with us,” she added.
