 Between 2000 and 2003 work continued to keep growing the membership of the Oceania Handball Federation to look at ways to include New Caledonia, Tahiti and Wallis and Futuna as 'Affiliate' members of the Oceania Handball Federation.These countries were only able to gain 'Affiliate' membership status, as at that time the French Handball Federation had not formally released these countries from their membership, and there were considerable implications for these countries if they left the French Handball Federation and joined the OHF, therefore their 'Affiliate' status.In 2003, the 'Affiliate' countries were invited to compete and participate in Oceania 'Pacific Cup'.