Ibrom back in the Cooks with lofty ambitions

Ibrom returned to the Cook Islands in July last year, originally to be the national academy director, but took over as head coach of the men’s team in December.

Since hist last stint in the Cooks from 2016 to 2018, where he was the technical director, Ibrom has been head coach and director of football at New Zealand club side Tasman United, technical director of the Samoa FA and head of football development at Southern Football Federation in NZ.

“You’ve been away from the Cooks for a little while, what was it that made you decide to return, and in a different role?”

“Initially it was to develop the national academies like I did some 6 years ago. Very quickly we have managed to activate a number of age group teams both boys and girls which will hopefully enable CIFA to be better prepared in the future. I’ve also done the national technical director role in two countries and have worked very hard supporting and preparing national teams for OFC competitions. So I understand the role of a national coach and the challenges this presents in this region,“ Ibrom tells Football in Oceania.

He says it’s a “great challenge” to take over the Cooks national team, as one of the smallest countries in the world.

“This is what immediately pulled me towards the role as I believe we can bridge the gap with other member associations in the region. Recruitment will be key to this and running the right programs on the ground in the Cook Islands. We also want a stronger pathway between the U19’s into the Seniors and me taking over the national team along with overseeing the pathway underneath will allow me to do this,” Ibrom says.

The first big test for the senior national side will be the qualifying stage for the OFC Nations Cup, set to take place in Tonga in March.

Ibrom’s goal to be more comptetitive starts with an aim to qualify for the Nations Cup proper, something only the qualifying winner does. Samoa are the favourites, but either the Cooks or Tonga could pull off a surprise.

If they do qualify, it will be their first time at the main tournament since 2000.

“Firstly we want to be more competitive within the Oceania region and understand a re-set and pivot was needed to do this. It’s our goal to qualify from this tournament to the main competition taking place later in 2024.,” Ibrom says.

He also hopes to do what nations like Samoa have done in recent times, and pull of the pool of Cook Islanders who live other places in the world, to represent the national team.

“Focusing on the scouting and recruitment strategy we have implemented is something we hope will enable us to identify players of interest who are able to represent the national team in the future,” Jess Ibrom says.