-The Fiji Women's Super League has kicked off, the latest in a growing list of new national soccer competitions for female players that are springing up across Oceania.
 
The driving force is the 2023 Women's World Cup, to be hosted by New Zealand and Australia, where there is an opportunity for a team from the Pacific Islands to take part.
 
Qualifying will be tough however, first through Oceania, and then through a 10 team international play-off.
 
Fiji FA CEO Mohammed Yusuf has told Pacific Beat the new qualification path is a good thing, as it will ensure the team works harder.
 
“If we do qualify, then we'll probably have a very competitive team. It's a good thing for our sport and for our players that we'll have to strive for better preparation.”
 
The Fijian Super League follows the launch of new national women's competitions in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
 
Emma Evans, Women's Development Officer for the Oceania Football Confederation has no doubt that over the next couple of World Cup cycles, we'll see more Pacific teams fighting for place.
 
“This [qualifying process] is helping to change the game for women in the Pacific, so I'm really, really pleased with how each member association has responded,” Evans said.

SOURCE: ABC/PACNEWS

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