Marshall Islands Soccer Federation
The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation is the governing body of soccer in the Marshall Islands. Marshall Islands is not a member of its regional body, the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), or FIFA, but is working on becoming one.[1][2] The federation is recognized by the Marshall Islands National Olympic Committee.[3] It currently organizes the national team, national futsal team, and women's national futsal team.
| OFC | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 2020 |
| FIFA affiliation | N/A |
| OFC affiliation | N/A |
| President | Shem Livai |
| Website | rmi |
History
editThe federation was founded in 2020 with the purpose of introducing the sport to the nation which previously had no soccer history.[4] In May 2019 construction commenced on the Majuro Track and Field Stadium. Originally built as a venue for the 2023 Micronesian Games, the stadium would also serve as the home of football in the nation.[5]
In December 2022 it was announced that the MISF had hired its first-ever technical director, British UEFA-licensed coach Lloyd Owers. Owers would be responsible for creating the soccer structure for the nation, including school and youth development programs up to the national team.[6][7]
In January 2023 the federation launched a GoFundMe campaign. The money raised would be used to purchase equipment to begin to grow the sport in the nation. As part of the campaign it was also announced that a national league was planned to kick off in 2023 with the national team playing a match by 2024.
Other members of the MISF include Marketing Manager Matt Webb; Press officer Justin Walley and Football Development Executive Max Houchin [8]
On May 29th, 2024 the Marshall Islands Soccer Federation announced their first National Women’s Team Head Coach, Katie Smith, a current collegiate coach based in the United States.
Competitions
editThe organization first held the Marshall Islands Futsal League, starting with the 2023 edition. They also organize the Ratak Cup, the first edition being the 2024 Ratak Cup.
They also compete in the Outrigger Challenge Cup, an annual competition for nations in the Northern Pacific region.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "MISF Official website". Marshall Islands Soccer Federation. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ Poole, Harry (10 October 2023). "Marshall Islands: The last country on Earth without a national football team". BBC Sports. BBC News. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
- ^ Owers, Lloyd (17 September 2023). "We sent our Technical Director to the Marshall Islands!". Official Site of MISF. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
- ^ Rogers, Martin. "Marshall Islands rare nation untouched by soccer's sprawling reach". USA Today. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
- ^ Ewart, Richard (27 February 2020). "Small beginnings as Marshall Islands sets out to join the world soccer family". abc.net.au. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
- ^ Bjerkevoll, Ole (23 December 2022). "Marshall Islands hire first ever technical director". Football in Oceania. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
- ^ Hamilton, Tom. "The Marshall Islands are trying to build a soccer team, but their dreams extend far beyond sport". ESPN.com. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
- ^ Webb, Matt. "Bringing football to the Marshall Islands". Marshall Islands Soccer Federation. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
External links
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