New F.F.S. chief has plans to grow code

By Bethel Peato Ale 22 September 2021, 2:00PM

Autū Andy Ripley is the new Chief Executive Officer of the Football Federation Samoa and he has plans to initiate profound changes within the federation and the code in Samoa.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer on Tuesday, Autū said he is looking forward to taking on the challenges that come with the job and he hopes that at the end of his three-year contract there will be profound changes to the code in Samoa.

He said he has some strategies that he intends to roll out over the next three years in order to reform the organisation and the code.

“Some of these plans include making sure we utilise the resources that are given to us by FIFA and Oceania Football Confederation (O.F.C) to effectively build our team in the office, as well as looking at ways to improve the development of football in Samoa,” he said.

“The plan is to make some transitional changes in policies and focus on the implementation and delivery of plans so that these changes come to fruition with better and improved results."

According to the new football chief, the FFS still intends to host the U-19 Championships in August next year. The event was initially scheduled for this year but the COVID-19 pandemic pushed it to 2022. 

In terms of international competitions such as the F.I.F.A World Cup 2022, Autū said Samoa will send a team to the men's world cup qualifiers which will be held in March next year in Qatar.

Autū is no stranger to the code as he has been involved with the sport since 1986 as a national player when he represented Samoa in the U16, U19 and the senior men’s teams. 

As a football administrator, Autū has been the coach for Samoa’s national team and has also played active roles at the local club level. 

The F.F.S. C.E.O. position was advertised with numerous applications received. At the end of the recruitment and selection process, Autū was selected and endorsed by the F.F.S. Executive Committee to lead the federation over the next three years.

Autū hails from the village of Togafu’afu’a and holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of the South Pacific, a Bachelor of Commerce in Management from the National University of Samoa, a Diploma in Coaching Fitness Education from UNITEC New Zealand and a Diploma in Business Management from Auckland University of Technology. He takes over the F.F.S C.E.O role previously held by Seve Dr. Folototo Seve. Prior to being selected to take up the role of C.E.O. Autū was overseeing his family-run business. 

By Bethel Peato Ale 22 September 2021, 2:00PM
Samoa Observer

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