Five Pasifika sides recently entered the ranks of professional football for the first time.
The clubs from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu stepped onto a new stage across two Auckland venues in the inaugural OFC Pro League last week.
Fijian-based Bula FC and Vanuatu United kicked off the tournament before the two New Zealand/Aotearoa clubs, Auckland FC and South Island United, walked out onto Eden Park.
Tahiti United took on South Melbourne FC - Australia's sole entrant - ahead of PNG Hekari facing Solomon Kings FC to conclude the action in the first of 14 rounds of fixtures that come in addition to play-off finals through May.
The opening rounds were played in Aotearoa/New Zealand's largest city before the unique Oceania travelling format moves to Papua New Guinea, Australia, Solomon Islands and Fiji.
The new era in the confederation's game is somewhat revolutionary for a largely amateur scene throughout the Pacific countries, according to OFC Pro League project manager Stuart Larman.
South Melbourne - among six brand new clubs - are the only club which has competed in a professional environment - Australia's National Soccer League prior to the advent of the A-League.
Auckland City - the other established club - has almost exclusively represented the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) at the quadrennial Club World Cup series that shockingly included holding Argentinean giant, Boca Juniors, to a scoreless draw last year.
"The OFC was the only confederation to not have a professional league in any of its current member associations - something of a restriction in player advancement opportunities," Larman said.
"Players from the OFC will now have a significant increase in highly-competitive matches per year.
"This will be the start point where the best players in the region will become familiar with a professional football environment as they progress in their careers."
Larman has not ruled out the eight-club league expanding in the years to come - in fact, an increase to more competition is a large part of his job brief.
The league was first proposed in 2022 as the OFC's long-term vision to lift the standards of football in the region and to specifically create pathways for Pasifika players to track their careers in the comfort of their home rather than in culturally unwelcoming foreign lands.
"It will require a lot of things to fall into place at the existing clubs, as well as those hoping to join," Larman said.
"As we move forward, we will be working hard with all our clubs to build on the foundations they have to ensure they're well-structured off the pitch that will be reflected on the pitch as well."
It is a historic occasion when two of the six Melanesian derbies opened and closed the OFC Pro League's opening round.
Bula FC head coach Stephane Auvray said in the final days before Saturday's clash against Vanuatu United that his side has spent the past month on greatly improving its fitness.
"We've worked hard, lots of running, conditioning - now we're in the last phase," he said at the launch of the new league during the week at an Auckland press conference.
"We still have a few tactical points to improve, and then we'll start our first game and see what we look like, what the opponents look like, and hopefully it will work out for us, and we'll perform well."
Auvray added that there is growing excitement to represent Fijian culture - which has been more associated with both rugby codes - with a revered pride on the pitch.
"I think it's to start on the right foot, start strong," he said.
"Make sure we make Fiji proud, and that we give everything we have - and you know, you never can control the outcome, but you can control the effort."
Bula FC features the most-capped Fijian international stretching back to 2007 and 61 appearances for the nation, and a past A-League star of Wellington Phoenix, Roy Krishna.
The 38-year-old stalwart, who is a third-generation Fijian of Indian descent, knocked back offers in the Indian Super League to play for the country of his birth's newest and Krishna's overall 10th club.
Krishna, who last ran out for a club based out of Fiji 20 years ago, says he is "just very happy and blessed to be back after so long".
"This is the first time in history in Oceania there's a professional league, so it's going to take time for all the clubs to adjust and develop," Krishna said.
Vanuatu United FC appeared divided and in turmoil ahead of its entry onto the pro-league stage.
Club general manager Christian Happel and head coach Lars Hopp both resigned just days out from the opener.
In a joint statement from custodians of the club, the Vanuatu Football Federation, the pair agreed that the decision followed "differing views on the club's strategic direction".
"There are simply different opinions on how the future of the club should be managed and developed," the statement said.
"We believe absolute alignment among all stakeholders is vital for long-term success.
"As we no longer feel fully aligned, we concluded that stepping aside is the right move for everyone involved."
Happel's final day with the club will be January 23, while Hopp is set to remain in his role for a further three days to ensure ready-made replacements can be found for the men.
Vanuatu United FC have one fixture scheduled at Eden Park and two at North Harbour Stadium until January 23 before it plays for a fourth time in the league on January 31 in the next leg of matches in Papua New Guinea.
United FC striker Alex Saniel said the team made up full of Vanuatuan nationals were not going to be distracted and lose focus despite the obvious distractions against their Fijian rivals.
"We as Melanesians, we know each other so well and it will be a tough task for both teams going to the first game, but I think we are ready," Saniel said.
