The Fiji Football Association has announced the appointment of Nicola Demaine as the new head coach of the Fiji women’s national football team, known as the Fiji Kulas. This move underscores the association’s dedication to enhancing women’s football and fostering long-term development within the sport.
Fiji FA President Rajesh Patel emphasized that Demaine’s hiring aligns with their strategic objective of creating a competitive and sustainable framework for women’s football in Fiji. He remarked, “The Fiji Football Association is pleased to appoint Nicola Demaine as the head coach of the Fiji women’s national team. Nicola brings significant international experience in women’s football, particularly within the Oceania region, and has demonstrated strong capability in team development and high-performance environments.”
Demaine’s extensive experience in women’s football makes her a significant asset to the national team. Patel noted that her background in working with national teams and football development programs is in harmony with the association’s vision for the advancement of women’s football in the country. “We are confident she will contribute positively to the progress of the Fiji Kulas,” he added.
Originally from England, Demaine has an impressive coaching background across the Pacific and Asia. Notably, she led Papua New Guinea to their first-ever OFC Women’s Nations Cup title in 2022, which marked a historic achievement for women’s football in that nation. Additionally, she has coached the Samoa women’s national team, served as an OFC Women’s Football Development Officer, and most recently directed the Bhutan women’s national team.
Upon her appointment, Demaine expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Fiji women’s national team and shared her enthusiasm for collaborating with players, coaching staff, and administrators. “I’m looking forward to working closely with the players, coaching staff, and administrators to continue developing the women’s programme and building a strong and competitive team,” she stated.
Demaine highlighted her commitment to fostering a positive environment and supporting player development as central to her coaching philosophy. “There is clear potential within women’s football in Fiji, and I am committed to working collaboratively to support the ongoing growth of the game,” she remarked.
As Demaine steps into her role, the Fiji Kulas are gearing up for upcoming Oceania competitions and preparing for future FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying campaigns. With expectations riding high, her wealth of experience is anticipated to elevate the national team to new heights. This significant development in Fijian women’s football is a positive indication of the sport’s promising future in the country.
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