The Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) has launched a training and competition programme to prepare Rarotonga schools for a football tournament and inspire a lifelong passion for the sport.

The association is poised to transform the football landscape within schools through an enticing training and competition programme, designed to prepare and inspire young athletes for the upcoming Schools Competition.

The programme is preparation to a festival of football that commences on Friday, March 1 at the mountain view fields of CIFA in Matavera.

At the helm of this transformative programme are CIFA’s very own Tupou Brogan, Daniel Taokia, Penina Katuke, and Matt Campbell who have delivered 20 school training sessions in the last two weeks across the island.

In a statement, CIFA said: “The football enthusiasts of CIFA are on a mission to deliver an unparalleled football experience to the youth. Their roles transcend coaching; they are mentors, educators, and the architects of a brighter football future.”

“Through their guidance, they hope to see schools become vibrant hubs of football activity, where the enthusiasm is visible and the echo of the ball striking the net is the soundtrack of progress.”

The programme’s goal is not merely to prepare students for competition but to ignite a lifelong passion for the beautiful game.

“CIFA envisions a future where sport fields in schools are swarming with eager young players, each one embarking on their own journey of discovery, skill-building, and self-improvement for the game of football.

“The association foresees Football Development Officers (FDOs) as the torchbearers of this vision, passing on their profound knowledge and love for the game to every willing learner, and shaping a new generation of football enthusiasts.”

As the countdown to competition day draws near, the air is thick with anticipation.

The School Competition, spanning from the 1st of March to the 27th of March, is not just a series of matches; it is a celebration of youthful excitement, a testament to the power of sport in forging solidarity, and a stage where potential is honed and showcased, CIFA said.

“In a couple of weeks, the fields of CIFA will be alive with the vibrant energy of competition, the cheers of supportive peers, and the shared dreams of victory and excellence.”

• CIFA Media