The Australian Government has renewed its partnership with Football Australia to support the development of elite football throughout the Pacific.
A key aspect of the renewed deal is a four-year investment that will enable regular international matches between Australian and Pacific national teams. It will also fund capacity-building initiatives to support the development of players, referees and administrators across the region.
Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for International Development and the Pacific, said: “Australia and the Pacific come together through a shared passion for sport and it’s exciting to see football’s continued growth and popularity throughout the region.
“The Australian Government is proud to build on the success of our partnership with Football Australia, through PacificAus Sports, to provide increased opportunities for Australian and Pacific football teams to compete together at the highest levels, and to strengthen connections between our nations.”
Set to include women’s and men’s football across various age groups, as well as international futsal, the partnership will also provide regular training and competition opportunities for Pacific national teams alongside Australia’s top talents.
This agreement looks to build on successful initiatives like the 2019 Pacific Tour by Australia’s Junior Matildas, which visited the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Tonga, aiming to enhance people-to-people connections and sporting ties in the region.
Football Australia’s Chair, Anter Isaac, commented: “Australian football has many natural connections and intersections with the Pacific through a long-shared history of the game in this region. The surge in interest and inspiration for the game across the Pacific, particularly after our co-hosting of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand, is undeniable.
“We are proud to continue our partnership with the Australian Government through the PacificAus Sports programme, which will support the advancement of elite football throughout the Pacific and facilitate further international matches between Australian and Pacific national teams. Additionally, this partnership will enhance the development of players, match officials, and administrators from Pacific nations.
“Our relationship with the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) is a cornerstone of our regional strategy. The collaborative efforts between Football Australia and OFC and Member Associations across the region have been critical in strengthening our ties within the Pacific, allowing us to work together towards common objectives and ensuring the continued development of football in the region.”
Football participation in Australia has seen a significant boost in recent years, with a 12% increase in 2023 and a remarkable 20% rise recorded in 2024 so far.
Earlier this year, Football Australia sought the support of the government after it announced New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia as the proposed host states for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.
