A new era in international soccer is to begin tomorrow when Vanuatu United meet Bula of Fiji in Auckland, New Zealand, in the first game of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Pro League.
Eight teams from seven countries in the region — the others are New Zealand, Tahiti, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Australia — are to play at least 17 games over the next three months.
Organizers say the new league is a much-needed step for the region, where individual countries are mostly too small to support top-level domestic competitions.
Photo: AP
“The OFC was the only confederation to not have a professional league in any of its member associations, something of a restriction in player advancement opportunities,” said Stuart Larman, the league’s project manager.
“Players from the OFC will now have a significant increase in highly competitive matches per year,” Larman said. “This will be the start point where the best players in the region will become familiar with a professional football environment as they progress in their careers.”
The league is split into two phases. In the first, each team face the other seven twice each over five rounds. The first round is in New Zealand and then matches move to Papua New Guinea, Australia, the Solomon Islands and Fiji.
After 14 games, the eight teams are to split into two groups — Leaders and Challengers — with those games to be played in New Zealand.
The top three from the Leaders group and a playoff winner are to advance to the semi-finals, which are also to be held in New Zealand.
The other teams are: PNG Hekari, Solomon Kings, Tahiti United and South Melbourne, the only OFC Pro League team to be based outside of the OFC confederation.
Australia is part of the Asian Football Confederation.
The league would also determine which team represents Oceania at the next FIFA Club World Cup in 2029, where they can earn substantial financial rewards.
Auckland City represented Oceania in last year’s Club World Cup and turned heads when the New Zealand side of mostly amateur players drew with high-profile Argentine club Boca Juniors, although they lost their other two matches by wide margins.
Playing regular soccer would also help raise standards across Oceania and provide more professional pathways for young players.
“Technically, the boys [in New Zealand] are very gifted,” said Rob Sherman, head coach of South Island United, a New Zealand-based OFC Pro League team. “There’s definitely a mass of talent in the region. Hopefully playing at a different standard than domestically will accelerate and expose that talent.”
There is much to be done off the field, too. Small populations mean limited broadcasting and sponsorship revenue, but pooling those resources could make a difference. If so, more clubs from other nations could join.
“Over time it would be a major step to see the league expand from the existing eight clubs,” Larman said. “That will require a lot of things to fall into place at the existing clubs, as well as those hoping to join. As we move forward, we will be working hard with the clubs to ensure they build on the foundations they have to ensure they are well structured off the pitch, which will be reflected on the pitch as well.”
The OFC Pro League could serve as an example for others. A new Baltic League involving Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia is being discussed to help teams grow and compete in wider European competitions. Similar discussions have taken place among Southeast Asian nations.
“In countries where it is hard to sustain a professional football league, the cross-border option should always be one to explore,” Larman said. “The commercial and sporting benefits will help bridge the gap that exists with leading leagues in any region.”
Additional reporting by staff writer
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