The quality all around the world is improving. Its a function of the ease of travel and ease of information sharing. Coaching methods in the lesser countries have improved a huge amount and NZ in the future wont find it easy to qualify out of Oceania at senior level. At age group level this is showing up sooner.
Indeed.
Tahiti have certainly greatly improved their football infrastructure in recent years.
FIFA have funded the creation of the "Elite Player Development Academy" and the construction of a technical centre.
After playing for the country of his birth at the Confederations Cup, Brazil in 2013, Tahitian legend Marama Vahirua retired from playing professionally and settled back in Tahiti for the first time since he was 17 and embarked on his 17 year career in Ligue 1 with Nantes, Nices, Lorient, Nancy and Monaco. Played more than 300 games in France, scoring 73 goals. Won Ligue 1 in 2000-2001. Two French Cups.
Vahirua has been Technical Director of the Tahitian FA since 2013 and plays for FC Pirae in the Tahitian First Division.
Tahiti u-17 coach Ludovic Graugnard is a Frenchman who had a long career in the French lower leagues before settling in Tahiti as a lifestyle choice and to play in the Tahitian league.
The Tahiti u-17 side has been playing in the Tahitian First Division under the experienced guidance of Graugnard and Vahirua.
Written in July 2013:
http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/footballdevelopment/...
"Since 2002, FIFA has approved the implementation of five Goal projects in Tahiti with a total investment of approximately 3.5 million USD. Besides the Elite Player Development Academy (Goal 5) that has benefited approximately 120 players since 2010, funds have been used for the construction of a technical centre (Goal 4, 3 and 2), and a football pitch (Goal 1)."
Big Pete 65, Christchurch
COYN