Historic milestone: Meet Cook Islands’ first female OFC Champions League head coach

Mii Piri-Savage is the first female head coach at the Oceania Football Confederation’s (OFC) Men’s Champions League. She reflects on her journey and what coaching means to her.

The Cook Islander is a trailblazer in the OFC’s Club Championships, having coached the Cook Islands champions, Tupapa Maraerenga FC, in the Solomon Islands.

While Tupapa Maraerenga did not secure a win in early April, Piri-Savage told the Cook Islands News that she believes the experience will prove valuable as they prepare for the 2025 domestic season.

Speaking to Tauraki Rongo on PMN Cook Islands, the 39-year-old, the first woman to lead a side at the tournament’s final stage, describes the milestone as “ground-breaking for women in football”.

Following in the footsteps of American Sāmoan coach Ruth Tuato'oi, who reached the qualifiers, Piri-Savage says seizing opportunities is “key to making sure that what you’ve learned is going to be used”.

“Ground-breaking for women in football. It was quite an honour to be there and an opportunity that you grasp and you make the most of it,” Piri-Savage says.

“Everyone has a learning curve, we're there to learn, we're there to improve and in the pathway of coaching - coaches grab any opportunity they can.”

She says transitioning to a senior men’s squad is “quite a challenge” as coaching adults differs from coaching youth players. But she acknowledged that the guidance of former head coach Tuka Tisam and the wisdom of senior players helped ease her into the role.

“But also learning to respect them then getting the respect back and just understanding that we are there to work together, whether I'm a woman, we have the same goal to participate and do the best we can.

‘It’s definitely an area that I know I still need to learn how to work with men, whether it be coaching, head coach or assistant coach, it's a different area, but I definitely need a lot of learning if I'm to pursue that area or help in any way.”

Watch Mii Piri-Savage’s full interview below.

Soccer: Piri-Savage’s number one

Piri-Savage has played association football since she was 15, spending two decades primarily as a midfielder before moving into coaching.

“I grew up in a family that's mostly netball, rugby, and I found that I love sports. But as I grew in soccer, it became a sport that I found my place in. I enjoy it, it's a hard game, but when it's a hard game, you have fun doing it. So, almost 25 years playing the game.”

Piri-Savage took her first national assignment in 2023 as an assistant coach for the Cook Islands under-19 and senior women’s teams. The role sharpened her tactical abilities while being a “player-coach” in domestic competitions.

“Trying to coach or teach what you've experienced, what your experiences are to our upcoming players, it’s tough, but you learn.”

Tupapa Maraerenga FC's Senior Women’s team attended Sunday service at the Ngatangiia AOG Church before traveling to Tahiti for the OFC Women’s Champions League. Photo/Facebook/Tupapa Maraerenga

She says one of the most rewarding aspects of coaching is seeing the players improve, enjoy the game, and smile, especially the youth, whether they celebrate a victory or reflect on a loss.

“At the end of the day, they're enjoying the game, and I think that's the best part as a coach, is seeing them grow and enjoy the sport that you want to help grow and instil what you've learned onto them.

“You see them play, making that good pass, taking a shot at goal, creating play to get the ball in the goal or stopping the opponent from scoring - just seeing the happiness in their faces, the determination and the joy they get from it.”

Looking ahead, Piri-Savage and her team are setting their sights on Tahiti, where Tupapa Maraerenga’s women will compete against Ba Women’s FC, Henderson Eels FC, and Penama Tigers FC starting 4 May.