The Netherlands Oceania Support Foundation has been active since 2011 and was established to develop football in Tuvalu and promote FIFA membership. In 2011, the very experienced Dutch manager Foppe de Haan (European champion with the Netherlands U23 and active in the European Champions League) was nominated by us as national coach of Tuvalu. His two assistants were also experienced coaches from The Netherlands.
Breaking Records
During the Pacific Games in New Caledonia, Tuvalu achieved its biggest victory ever: 4-0 win over American Samoa. Tuvalu also surprised with a 1-1 draw against Guam. Prior to the Games, Samoa had already been defeated 3-0. These are resounding figures against countries that are all members of FIFA.
Best of the rest
Tuvalu finished the Pacific Games in seventh place, the best of the small football countries. It thus left Guam, American Samoa, the Cook Islands and Kiribati behind.
Sustainable collaboration
2011 marked the start of a sustainable collaboration. Tuvalu’s demand for manpower came in the form of Dutch coaches.