Boosting Grassroots Sport in the Pacific

Oceania Football Confederation President, Reynald Temarii, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, and Football Federation Australia Chief Executive Officer, Ben Buckley.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has signed up to a partnership to deliver grassroots football development programs in Pacific Island nations.

 Mr Rudd signed the partnership agreement with the Oceania Football Confederation President Reynald Temarii and Football Federation Australia Chief Executive Officer Ben Buckley at the Pacific Island Leaders Forum in Cairns.

The partnership will provide $4 million for promoting grassroots sport and community development. This will provide more sports opportunities for Pacific Island players, administrators, coaches and officials. 

The partnership will initially focus on Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu, before expanding to Papua New Guinea. It will have a particular focus on engaging girls and women in football.

Sport plays a central role in the lives of Australians and Pacific Islanders alike. 

Australia is committed to boosting participation in sport across the Pacific region, and to working in partnership with Pacific Island nations to achieve improved health and social outcomes through sport. 

Participating in sport improves mental and physical health, builds leadership, promotes positive engagement with peers, provides role models for young people, and delivers invaluable benefits to communities.

For more information:

Australian Sports Commission

Football Australia

Oceania Football

Last Reviewed: 6 August, 2009