Top global role for Samoan woman

13 October 2016, 12:00AM

Samoa’s Sarai Bareman has become the most powerful figure in women's football, being appointed Fifa's first Chief Women's Football Officer.

She will head the governing body's newly created Women's Football Division as part of Fifa's management board, Zurich-based Fifa said.

"As the only female member of Fifa's 2016 Reform Committee, Sarai was a strong advocate for change within the organisation, in particular calling for concrete requirements on women in leadership positions at Fifa," the organisation said in a statement.

Bareman was a former player on the Samoan women's team and has been working as deputy secretary general of the Oceania Football Confederation after being Samoan football's C.E.O between 2011 and 2014.

Previously Bareman had 10 years working in the banking and finance sector in New Zealand.

She has been a strong advocate for women's rights in sport and administration.

She will take up her new role in November 14 and continues a strong time for Kiwi women sports administrators with Katie Sadlier getting a similar role with World Rugby last month.

13 October 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>