World Footy News

In a recent article WFN profiled Graeme “the kid” Wilson and his work with footy in the Solomon Islands. This included a brief overview of the RAMSI organisation (Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands). We just touched upon young Freddie Una, the ‘rising star’ of the Solomons footy program who flew the flag in the South Pacific team in the recent U16 Nationals. Here we feature an article that goes into greater depth on Freddie.

Interestingly, this article, RAMSI update : First Aussie Rules star with RAMSI’s help is featured in a business community publication – “Islands Business”.

As mentioned previously, Freddie Una competed in the Under 16 national championships held in Australia in July. His path there was very reliant upon the assistance of the RAMSI community and Graeme Wilson.

Una, who was born in Malaita Province and went to primary school there before coming to Honiara to live with his uncle at Namoliki village, a settlement just near Honiara’s Chinatown, did not do any further schooling and is currently without a job.

Una, never having travelled overseas, had no passport, had not been on a plane before, had no clothing suitable for a Melbourne winter or the funds needed for a return ticket to Australia.

It was at this stage that the RAMSI social club stepped in and together with individual donations and other fund raising efforts managed to raise enough to give Una the means to travel.

They also helped provide him with warm clothes, complete his passport and visa applications and other advice to help him successfully navigate the international plane trip and adjust quickly during his brief stint in Melbourne.

For his part, Una says the four weeks of footy in Melbourne was a once in a lifetime opportunity which has already changed his life.

Wilson spoke further about hopes for the Solomon’s to be able to field a team in the upcoming regional Under 16s tournament in December.

Similar to the position illustrated in Vanuatu, the Solomons also have plans around the vital youth ambassador roles promoted by the Australian Govt in conjunction with the AFL. Wilson hopes to expand on the current Auskick via the expanding it through the recruitment of a youth ambassador who will be responsible for working with local schools to run regular Auskick clinics.