World Footy News

A small piece of Australian football news appeared in the Solomon Star News recently. The article, to coincide with Australia Day, discusses the 5-year Australian role in that country as part of a Regional Assistance Mission, and various efforts to interact with locals. Of particular interest is that the footy program has continued. It is being suggested as a role model for the introduction of cricket. From Aussies and Solomon Islanders – enjoying the partnership:

This could follow the model used by RAMSI personnel who, since arriving in 2003, have managed to introduce Aussie Rules football to many Solomon Islanders with a regular Saturday afternoon Auskick clinic run by RAMSI personnel for the past five years.

Captain Robert Coales, an Australian public servant currently serving in RAMSI’s military contingent as a personnel officer, says he looks forward to umpiring these games, now held at the Honiara Secondary School ground, each Saturday.

“For me it’s a chance to get out of headquarters, to interact with the community and to be involved in the game I love.”

Captain Coales says it is great to see how far the local players have developed in the past five years; some of them are excellent.”