Women’s league a priority in PVFA EXCO meeting

Jan 31, 2023 | Sports | 0

A Galaxy FC player controls the ball at the 2021 VFF women champions league in Luganville, Santo. Photo – Galaxy FC

The Port Vila Football Association (PVFA) confirmed that one of its main agenda to discuss in its upcoming EXCO meeting, next month, is the Women’s League Competitions.

It comes as the 2021 PVFA and the Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) champions league women’s champion, Galaxy FC women’s team, will not be participating at the first ever Oceania Football Confederation (OFC)’s Oceania champions league scheduled for March 9th -18th 2023, in Papua New Guinea.

PVFA President, Mr. Harry Atisson commented that they have been aware on the decision and frustration of the club concerned and will look into the women’s competition trend in Port Vila as there are allegations on clubs to pull out of women’s competition.

The PVFA EXCO meeting taking next month will determine PVFA’s decision regarding PVFA’s women football competition.

Galaxy FC management commented the decision has raised concerns over the future of women football in country. In a media statement, it confirmed that it will not participate at the PVFA women’s league new season. The decision will taunt women empowerment in soccer and question Vanuatu’s participation in clubs and international competitions.

VFF’s decision has disappointed the Galaxy FC women’s team management as preparation towards the tournament were on track.

Under OFC regulation, there is a maximum number of games played by each participating teams to confirm its spot at the competition. According to Galaxy FC management, VFF had only submitted the number of games played at the VFF champions league to OFC and not league games, stating the games was not registered at the OFC comet system.

Daily Post contacted the VFF Competition Department to respond to the statement, but it could not reach them in time for print.

VFF had introduced the comet system in country at the beginning of 2022-2023 season.

A lot of female players shared their frustrations on social media claiming the need to strengthen women’s football in country which is one of the challenging barriers aimed to overcome, more importantly develop women football career pathways and promote women’s football as well.

With FIFA announcing a lot of new women competitions, this year onwards, the O-league is the first step to a lot of the Pacific islanders’ career dreams.

Galaxy FC qualified for the O-league competitions after beating Huka 21 FC at the 2021 VFF women’s champions league in Luganville, Santo.

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SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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