The Fiji Junior Kulas have capped off an impressive campaign at the OFC U-17 Women’s Championship in Solomon Islands, finishing third after defeating Papua New Guinea 6-1 in the bronze medal playoff.

Head Coach Nicola Demaine praised both her players and support staff following the strong finish, describing the result as a significant step forward for the national youth side.

The third-place finish marks a notable improvement from last year’s tournament, where the Junior Kulas ended their campaign in sixth place. For Nicola, the achievement reflects the hard work and development shown by the team throughout the competition.

“Great finish to the tournament. Huge improvement from last year’s sixth place. Really proud of the players over the tournament and grateful for the support and hard work of the staff and those back at the Fiji FA,” she said.

Throughout the tournament, the Junior Kulas demonstrated growth and resilience, competing against some of Oceania’s strongest youth teams while gaining valuable international experience.

The bronze-medal finish provides further encouragement for Fiji women’s football development, with the young squad returning home having achieved their best result in recent years and taking another important step in their progression on the regional stage.

The campaign not only delivered a place on the podium but also highlighted the promising future of Fiji’s next generation of women footballers.