The Football Federation Samoa has appointed Faumuina Margaret Godinet-Crichton as their new Chief Executive Officer. It is understood that Faumuina officially started at FFS on Monday. 

She takes on the role of former CEO Galumalemana Ronna Lee who had her contract terminated in June 2024, which was only confirmed by the President of F.F.S, Papalii Samuel Petaia a month later. 

The top post at the football association has been a contentious one. Even Galumalemana's predecessor was removed in similar fashion. The role will be a challenging one given the millions invested by the world governing body FIFA. In December, FFS officially opened its new $12 million Apia Park Football Complex funded by FIFA.

Since the termination of Galumalemana, the post was advertised but had not been filled.

In an interview with Papalii in August 2024, he mentioned that if the initial interviews do not generate a suitable candidate, they will continue the recruitment process until they find the right fit. 

The new CEO's responsibility is to oversee the organisation's operations and support the upcoming initiatives.

She comes from an administrative background and a joint director with her husband Falemalu Failo Crichton for Real Estate Samoa established in February 2018.  Due to her contractual position with Government the of Samoa she had to resign from her directorship role but helped her husband Falemalu Failo Crichton run the business.

In 2022, she went back to the family business.

Faumuina formerly worked for two full terms of contracts for the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) Assistant Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Services looking after Accounts, Administration, Human Resources, Assets and Records Sections for the Ministry.  

She is also a former employee of Samoa International Finance Authority (SIFA) as a Senior Accounts and Compliance Officer for almost four years and worked in the United Kingdom as an Investment Assistant Finance Manager for Brewin Dolphin in Leicester with its Headquarters in London, UK. She is also the vice president of the Marist St Joseph's Sports Club. 

An email sent to Faumuina by this newspaper remained unresponded as of press time.