Oceania adopts club licensing

A two-day Fifa/OFC club licensing seminar underway in Auckland, New Zealand, aims to introduce the positive impact that club licensing has on football development, and how it will link to the revamped OFC Champions League format.
Representatives from Fifa, OFC, member associations in the OFC region and club football experts from the Americas, Asia and Europe met to exchange and discuss a variety of club licensing matters.
OFC club licensing manager Chris Kemp, pictured, said it was important for OFC and its members to continue improving their club competitions and Fifa’s club licensing system was a good place to start.
“Fifa’s club licensing system sets minimum standards for clubs in key areas such as stadium safety, fan experience and youth football development,” Kemp said.
“Through this seminar, we envision a greater understanding of club licensing and how the adoption of such a system in the OFC region will improve playing conditions and promote and develop the code.”
The seminar will cover a variety of professional football topics, including Fifa and OFC club licensing initiatives and how to link OFC development programmes with these systems.
Fiji national team captain Roy Krishna, who is enjoying a successful career with New Zealand’s only professional club, the Wellington Phoenix, was also in attendance.
Fifa’s head of professional football James Johnson said that Krishna was the first active player to participate in a club licensing seminar and the experience was expected to be positive.
“Clubs and players are directly affected by decisions we, as governing bodies, make on professional football matters,” Johnson said.
“As an active player employed by a professional club, Krishna provides valuable insight into the importance of player development pathways through clubs, leading to national teams and professional playing careers.
“Such pathways are an integral part of the Fifa club licensing system,” he said.