Football took centre stage at the 40th Pacific Islands Forum in Cairns yesterday afternon with the signing of a more than three million US dollar partnership agreement between Oceania Football Confederation , the Government of Australia and Football Federation Australia.
The landmark agreement, which aims to deliver sports-based programs that contribute to community development in the Pacific, was signed at the Cairns Convention Centre.
The OFC President, Reynald Temarii, addressed the leaders and said a special thank you to Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for his support.
He says the agreement will see the development of football and to improve the lives of individuals, families and communities throughout Oceania.
The agreement outlines how the three agencies will work together to deliver development projects throughout the Pacific over a three-year period.
The projects will include initiatives such as OFC 'Just Play' - a grassroots program that promotes physical activity for children aged 6-13 and encourages community involvement.
'Just Play' is already well established in OFC's 11 Member Associations but is now set to expand.
The Australian Government meanwhile expects to contribute over three million US dollars over a three-year period from July 2009 to June 2012.
