World Footy News

The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) began in July 2003, with a charter to restore peace and economic stability after five years of conflict. Graeme Wilson has held the position of special coordinator since January 2009 and has recently completed his assignment in the Solomons.

In February this year, Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd announced that Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Nicholas Coppel would become RAMSI's new special coordinator in March.

A couple of weeks back the Adelaide Sunday Mail ran a story looking at the Solomons and RAMSI. As per usual, Graeme Wilson was quoted, along with his CV that includes VFL footy with South Melbourne in the early 70s.

Mr Wilson is using sport as a nation-building tool, encouraging an Auskick and AFL program where reservists like UniSA student Lance Corporal Luke Png help out with coaching. Mr Wilson also coaches the Solomons Sharks in a regional AFL competition which is extremely popular among local men and boys. It is one small way of putting the population's focus on the Solomons as a united nation rather than a collection of islands.

Wilsons’ efforts have seen the Solomon Islands make their (some would say surprise) debut at the second instalment of the Oceania Under 16s tournament, in Tonga in December 2010. This is an excellent 5:45 minute video from the tournament posted recently on the AustraliaNetwork here.

Wilson says in the story : “It's a fantastic thing, because 21 of the 24 boys have never been on a plane before, they are nearly all from the settlement area, so they are struggling…….there's a clear demonstration today of how proud they are representing their country and I think when they go back the people of Solomons will be very proud of the team as well.”

As mentioned above, Graeme Wilson has finished up now in the Solomons. Earlier this month, the Solomon’s OneTelevision reported on the Solomon Sharks farewell to Graeme.

The Solomon Sharks AFL team played their final match with their coach and mentor outgoing RAMSI Special Coordinator Graeme Wilson on Saturday. It was an emotional time for the boys and their coach of two years who had developed the boys game from a weekend kick around sport to a regional AFL team who competed as the Solomon Sharks in the recent Pacific AFL tournament in Tonga.

OneTelevision Sharks Farewell video, take note of some pretty good skills on display including from Solomons Captain Freddy Una (number 1). There are some interviews that you might need to concentrate hard to follow. Freddy Una looks set to head to Queensland later this year for a couple of months of footy in Australia.

Look also for Pastor Tom making a presentation to Wilson, with a lad in the background in an Inter Milan top but twirling a footy in his hands. At the end of the video, the voice over states that Wilson is confident in the committee he leaves behind and that a qualified AFL coach will be arriving this month (April) to continue the boys training.

WFN spoke recently to Graeme who is on a well earned holiday. Graeme proudly points out that Junior Joel and Lucas Sili were flying out today (Friday) to Sydney for the Under 16 NSW Championships as part of an Oceania side.

Graeme was able to contact the lads to wish them well before their departure. He is certain that they will do the Solomons proud. As Graeme said “just as the team did in Tonga, winning two matches (including the play-off for fifth against the strong New Zealand team) and also winning the hearts of the AFL organisers and supporters of all teams with their enthusiasm, determination and style of play.”

Graeme has finished now with his role in the Solomons, however is glad to report that the Solomon Islands AFL Federation has a good committee. President Chris Tarohimae (a Solomon Islander who works for RAMSI in the Public Affairs Unit) has been joined by Marcus Pelto who has replaced Graeme as Secreatary. The new coach referred to in the OneTelevision story is going to be a Youth Ambassador, Ed Burton, who will start at the end of April. Graeme continues “His job over the next 12 months is to develop and promote AFL and cricket (another sport in which I was heavily involved in resurrecting in Solomon Islands).”

It’s reassuring to know that even as Graeme Wilson moves on from the Solomons, that the great strides taken in the last 12 months in particular look like being built upon.