The Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) is thrilled to announce the upcoming official launch of the FIFA Football for Schools (F4S) programme in June 2025, bringing world-class football and life skills training into the education system of Rarotonga and the outer islands.
This significant milestone marks a transformative moment for youth development in the Cook Islands, combining sport and education in a powerful initiative that will benefit children across the nation.
The approval and successful coordination of this programme have been the result of tireless efforts led by CIFA’s Grassroots Development Officer, Penina Katuke, whose commitment and leadership have played a central role in making this vision a reality. CIFA also extends its heartfelt appreciation to Owen Lewis for his unwavering support, which has been instrumental in driving the programme forward.
The Football for Schools programme is one of FIFA’s flagship global initiatives, run in collaboration with UNESCO, and is aimed at empowering up to 700 million schoolchildren worldwide. Its core mission is to make football more accessible and inclusive, embedding it directly into the school curriculum to encourage physical activity, teamwork, gender equality, and the development of essential life skills.
For the Cook Islands, this programme represents more than just an investment in football—it’s an investment in the future of our youth, helping to foster personal growth, social development, and a strong sense of community among children aged 4–14.
The F4S programme is not just about playing the game; it’s about using football as a tool to support the holistic development of young people. It emphasizes values such as respect, discipline, resilience, empathy, leadership, and inclusion, helping children to become not just better athletes but more responsible citizens.
Aligned with global education and health policies such as UNESCO’s Kazan Action Plan, the Education 2030: Incheon Declaration, and the World Health Organization’s Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (GAPPA), the Football for Schools programme also directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
By engaging with ministries of education and other national stakeholders, FIFA ensures that the programme aligns with local educational goals and development priorities. In the Cook Islands, this means F4S will be integrated into the broader vision for youth wellbeing, academic achievement, and sports excellence.
Participating schools in the Cook Islands will gain access to a range of valuable resources designed to make the programme easy to implement, impactful, and enjoyable for both teachers and students. These include:
- A free digital application (“Football for Schools”), available via Google Play and the Apple App Store, offering a library of training drills and life skills lessons tailored for children.
- An online learning platform for teachers, educators, and coaches that provides guidance, best practices, and activity plans for incorporating F4S into school programmes.
- The provision of equipment, including adidas footballs, that will be distributed to schools to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate.
Training and orientation sessions for educators will be conducted ahead of the launch to ensure a smooth and effective implementation. These sessions will provide teachers with the tools and confidence to deliver football activities that are not only fun but also rich in educational value.
The upcoming launch of F4S is more than just an event—it’s the beginning of a long-term commitment to youth empowerment through sport. With the unique cultural and geographical makeup of the Cook Islands, the programme will be tailored to suit the needs of each island community while still connecting students to a global movement.
“This programme opens doors for our young people—not just in football, but in life,” said Penina Katuke. “We’re proud to be part of a worldwide initiative that recognizes the power of sport to educate and inspire.”
CIFA remains dedicated to working alongside schools, communities, and international partners to ensure the programme’s success and sustainability across the Cook Islands.
As we look forward to the official launch in June, excitement continues to build among schools, students, and families. The FIFA Football for Schools programme promises to leave a lasting legacy, nurturing not only the football stars of tomorrow but the leaders, thinkers, and changemakers of the future.
CIFA Media
