The team from ADF Sport won’t forget their time forging lasting connections in Honiara and beyond during the international program visit to Solomon Islands.

Delivering two accreditation courses in football and rugby union, as well as a sports trainer qualification, the week was worth much more than what was delivered on a piece of paper.

Coaches and mentors, joined by the ADF Women’s Futsal team who took on the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), the contingent of soldiers, sailors and aviators left an impact on all who crossed their paths in the Pacific nation. 

“It makes such a huge difference in these communities,” Defence Adviser to the South-West Pacific Captain Emma Griffiths said.

“A lot of people work in Honiara but then head back to the provinces, so the skills that we teach them here they can take back and share with friends, family and community in the provinces – it’s bigger than here, this will spread across the nation.”

Flight Lieutenant Brandon Dance, who led the football accreditation coaching course, said he wanted to impart a more personal side of coaching on his participants, rather than focusing on the technical side of the game.

“In terms of who they are as coaches, they already have a great sense of community and making sure each other are OK through connection, and that, at the end of the day, is a foundation of a good coach,” Flight Lieutenant Dance said.

Sergeant Bryan Hudson worked with a more experienced group of coaches as he led the rugby union side of the program.

“These coaches can now go back to their club and put into practice what they’ve learnt with us here, and now the expectation is that they will be looked at by Solomon Islands Rugby Union for their pathways coaching and launch into professional rugby,” Sergeant Hudson said.

'Connection is also interaction and building what we see as the long- term strengthening of our partnership.'

As the futsal team prepared for their highly anticipated encounter with the RSIPF, they grasped the opportunity to connect with the local community.

They visited St Mary’s Catholic School in Tanaghai, on the outskirts of Honiara, and in a first for the ADF venturing from the nation’s capital, visited McMahon School on Tulagi Island. 

“The culture here is just so beautiful, everyone has been so welcoming and inclusive,” Flying Officer Milly Gray said.

“Getting the young girls involved as well has been so important. These kind of opportunities that come around when they’re young are what they remember and hold onto, so for us to be able to give that to them has been special.”

After a week of sharing and learning, the women put on a great match with the RSIPF, running away 3-1 winners at Friendship Hall, in the Sports City precinct.

“They came out really strong, especially in the second half, so we had to adjust to their tempo and get used to making fast-paced substitutions to keep up and go through the motions,” Corporal Nina Collins said of the high-tempo fixture.

Finding the decisive goal with three minutes left on the clock, the ADF then had to ensure their defence remained watertight from an RSIPF attacking barrage.

“We worked really hard and we know each other well so we love working for each other, that’s probably what got us over the line in the end – neither team was able to settle into the game, but we worked hard and pulled through,” Corporal Collins said.

A closing ceremony held at Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport reflected on the week that was, but also looked to the future of this blossoming partnership.

“Connection is also interaction and building what we see as the long-term strengthening of our partnership,” officer in charge of the program Commander José Bascunan said.

“It starts at the ground, grass roots through sport, but importantly it is a face-to-face connection that we provide – it’s not something in a glossy magazine, it’s been so impactful in such a positive way.”