NRL, APRL, ADF boost development in Solomon Islands

The NRL, Asia Pacific Rugby League, Australian Defence Force and Solomon Islands Institute of Sport have combined to help build the capacity of Solomon Islands Rugby League volunteers and officials, while also preparing the nation’s most talented male and female players for the upcoming Pacific Games.

A series of workshops were conducted last week to increase the number of qualified coaches, referees and officials in the Solomon Islands, as the NRL and APRL work together to grow the game in the Pacific, with the support of the ADF.

Solomon Islands is hosting the XVII Pacific Games in November, which will include men’s and women’s rugby league 9s tournaments, with Australia and New Zealand among the nations sending teams as part of Olympic-style multi-sport squads.

The NRL is very popular in the Solomon Islands and SIRL aim to use the Pacific Games as an opportunity to showcase the code and drive participation numbers.

The efforts of the NRL, APRL and ADF will ensure there are enough referees, coaches and sports trainers for SIRL to implement their development program.

The Rugby League capacity building activities included:  

• referee course, facilitated by Troy Burgess, NRL Referee Educator
• coaching course for community coaches.
• sports trainers course, conducted by Mick Allision, ADF Educator.
• Pacific Games volunteer welcome and information session
• RISE program conducted by Mike Castle, NRL Pathways Manager, for over 70 male and female players.    

All workshops were conducted at the new Solomon Islands Institute of Sport in Honiara, which  provides athletes and officials with first class facilities in order to pursue sporting excellence.

There were also training sessions with the Solomon Islands men's and women's teams preparing for the Pacific Games.

SIRL president Jerry Tengemoana said the combined work of the IRL, APRL and ADF would ensure a legacy after the Pacific Games for Rugby League in Solomon Islands.

“On behalf of the Executive, I am very grateful for the partnership that we have benefitted from, especially with the Asia Pacific Rugby League, NRL and, of course, SINIS, [for] providing the venue and all the support that we are enjoying throughout these days,” Tengemoana told SINIS Media.

“I hope that we can maintain this partnership and continue to work together for the betterment of this sport.”