Solomons
SOLOMON ISLANDS
The Background
On a trip to the Solomon Islands in December 2000, Brian Codrington and Sarah Codrington had the opportunity to participate in the relief and development works of Samaritans Purse, an international aid and development organization. The trip was also an opportunity to meet with leaders of different organizations in the Solomon Islands.
The country was in crisis after two years of ethnic tension and fighting. Guerrillas for the Malaitan Eagle Force and the Isatambu Freedom Movement had just ended their nightly gun and machete battles on the outskirts of the capital Honiara. It was estimated that 7,000 young men were involved in the conflict. Hundreds lost their lives, thousands their homes and possessions. The country was, and still is, reeling from the loss of infra structure and the ‘loss’ of the tourist industry, being a country that has for many years had negative tourist advices issued by our Dept. of Foreign Affairs.
As Brian and Sarah spoke with community leaders the “cry” from each person was that something needed to be done for the youth of the Solomon Islands – a generation that was losing hope and any confidence for a bright future due to the ethnic tension (really a civil war!). There was no organized sport for any children under the age of 14 years.
So the seed was planted. Dural Sport & Leisure Centre, a ministry of Dural Baptist Church, would seek to assist in the establishment of a viable sporting ministry to the people of the Solomon Islands.
Since that time an ongoing ministry has been established with the mission of:
Making the difference …. in the Solomon Islands by:
“Using the vehicle of sport to build community and impacting that community in a powerful way that sees lives changed physically, relationally, emotionally and spiritually.”
Because of the expertise Dural Sport & Leisure Centre has in Futsal and because of the Solomon Islanders passion for football, Futsal has blossomed in the country.
It has been a very rewarding experience to see kids taken off the street and involved in sport. Young indigenous adult leaders have been trained and accredited as coaches, referees and administrators. A focus has been provided for young lives. Many have come to understand that God has a plan and purpose for their lives and as a result are now filled with hope for their future.
Such is the success of the program that since 2005 AusAid funding has been received for our “Futsal Forging Communities” project. The ministry has now been expanded to include HIV/Aids peer to peer education and community beautification projects.
Other partners have joined forces to make a different in other areas. William Clarke College, in the Sydney suburb of Kellyville, has generously opened its doors in the area of education. The school has hosted Solomon Islands students on scholarships.
The sense of community pride and achievement has been celebrated as Solomon Island teams have travelled to Australia and emerged as Champions in the Australian Futsal (Indoor Soccer) National Titles over three of the last five years.
The journey God has us on is certainly an exciting one. If you want to be involved more closely with this ministry contact Brian on bcodring@bigpond.net.au
The Process
December 2000. The trip to the Solomon Islands that provided an understanding of the countries need – particularly in regard to children and youth who lived with little hope for their future as a result of the ethnic tension that was just coming to an end
April 2002. A trip was undertaken by Dural Sport & Leisure Centre (DSLC) to the Solomon Islands. Meetings were held with interested leaders from churches in Honiara leading to the establishment of the Solomon Islands Sports Coalition (SISC). SISC is a registered trust in the Solomons, and is governed exclusively by indigenous Solomon Islanders. Dural Sport & Leisure Centre continues to work with the SISC committee, to oversee the development of the strategic plan.
July 2002. DSLC undertakes it first mission trip to the Solomons. A team of seven suitably
qualified coaches and referees visited Honiara introducing Futsal. Clinics were undertaken in twelve schools. A league incorporating 36 teams was established and introductory courses were held for referees and coaches over four evenings
November 2002. A further planning trip was undertaken from Dural to the Solomons. The
purpose was to plan for the visit of a twelve years boys team to compete in the Australian
National Futsal Championships in Sydney 2003, and to plan for the subsequent mission trip from Dural to the Solomons in April 2003.
January 2003. An exciting new initiative. The visit of the twelve years boys team for the
Australian Nationals. The team was hosted at DSLC throughout the tournament. This trip showed the depth of talent for sports in the Solomons with the team competing admirably finishing runners up to the strong NSW Waratahs.
April 2003. The second mission trip from Dural to the Solomons. The team consisted of eight people, visiting 14 schools for clinics and involvement in the afternoon Futsal Leagues.
July 2003. Two Dural representatives, accredited referees and coach visited Honiara for
“technical sessions”. Being certified by NSW Football, Futsal Department to conduct these technical sessions, Solomon Islanders were accredited to NSW standards.
November 2003. A planning trip was organized to investigate the possibility of moving into the provinces. We recognize that in the development of the Solomon’s the provinces often feel overlooked, and we are keen to meet the demand evident in the regions.
January 2004. The second visit of Solomon teams to compete in Australian Nationals, held in Canberra. The teams were hosted at DSLC either side of the ACT tournament. A thirteen years boys team (containing five of the previous years 12 year old boys) and a twelve years girls team visited. The results were outstanding, with the 13 boys winning the whole tournament, and the girls (most of whom were 11 years or younger) being semi finalists in the 12 years competition.
April 2004. Another milestone as the fourth Dural mission team launched out into the
provinces, with a visit to the Western Province. The team visited Gizo, Kolombangara, Noro, Munda and surrounding areas. Over 2,000 children were coached in the clinics and information evenings held for coaches and referees.
July 2004. The first visit of an All Age men’s team to compete in the Oceania Futsal
Championships held in Canberra. We held no real expectations for success at his level, because at this stage no men’s Futsal League has been established in Honiara. But it was thought this would be a strategic tournament to show the younger players what lies ahead for competition on the World Stage in Futsal.
November 2004. Another trip of encouragement and planning was undertaken. The planning focused on a further mission trip to The Western Province to be held in April 2005. It was resolved to undertake a trip with the aim of establishing leagues in the West in Munda, Gizo and Ringi. On the trip referees and coaches were also accredited.
The November trip was also necessary to finalize the arrangements for Solomon team visit to Australia in January 2005.
January 2005. The third year of bringing Solomon teams to the Australian National Futsal
Titles saw three teams (14 year boys, 13 year boys and 12 year girls) venture to Australia. It was a very successful tournament with the 14 year boys being proclaimed National Champions for the second consecutive year. The 13 boys and 12 girls reached the quarter finals and semi finals respectively. The teams were hosted at DSLC either side of the ACT tournament.
April 2005. A mission trip with a difference! Only two Australians made the trip to the Solomons – yet the team consists of ten. It is an exciting development as eight Solomon
Islanders, with a love and passion for coaching have added to the experience of the team. The team worked together in Honiara for a week of school clinics and liaison with referees and coaches before journeying to the Western Province. The aim in the West was to revisit the areas of Gizo, Ringi and Munda. Clinics were undertaken, referees coaches and administrators trained. The aim was that on leaving the Western Province was that three viable Futsal Leagues would have been established.
June 2005. Some great news had been received regarding the receipt of Community Sector
Program Funding from AusAid. We were informed that while we as a church organization and sporting organization were not usually granted funding, there was no greater program for youth in the Solomon than our “Futsal Building Communities”. Two members of Dural visited the Solomon Islands to sign documentation and strategise with our Solomon partners, for a quicker expansion to the provinces.
August 2005. Elliot Ragomo and Jack Whetney, two sixteen year old Solomon Islanders are offered, and accept a scholarship at William Clarke College, Kellyville. The boys stayed for twelve months, with Jack returning to the Sololmons in August 2006, and Elliot taking up a Futsal professional contract in Spain from August 2006 before returning four months later to finish school. Elliot finished his School Certificate in 2007.
January 2006. The 14 year old Solomon Islands boys team attends the Australian Nationals held in Brisbane, and emerges as National Champions. Having dominated the early round games the team showed real courage and determination in the Grand Final to overcome a 1-5 deficit at half time and emerge victorious 9-7
April 2006. Three members of Dural undertake a further mission trip to the Solomons to
commence a work in the Isabel province. Because of the uprising surrounding the election of a new Prime Minister, the proposed visit to Isabel did not eventuate. However, the trip saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Solomon Islands Football Federation giving Dural Sport & Leisure Centre the privilege of developing all Futsal and junior soccer throughout the Solomon Islands
January 2007. The 14 year old Solomon Islands boys team (a different team to 2006) attend the Australian National Futsal Championships in Canberra. The team went right through to the semi finals being defeated by the eventual winners. The team was hosted at DSLC either side of the ACT tournament
April, July and October 2007. Brian Codrington conducted three further trips to the Solomon Islands for strategic planning with the Solomon Futsal leadership team and to attend Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) committee meetings.
January 2008. A visit by three Solomon Islands teams (15boys, 16girls and All Age Men) for participation in the Australian National Futsal Championships. Despite travel disruptions that saw some players arrive after the opening ceremony the teams all competed admirably. The girls missed the semi finals on goal difference while the 16 boys and Men lost in the semi final. The team was hosted at DSLC either side of the trip to ACT
This brief history shows our philosophy of involvement. It is long term, based around good relationships with indigenous Solomon Islander friends. It is a ministry that continues to develop the leadership within the Solomon Islands in all aspects physically, relationally, emotionally and spiritually, rather that having us at Dural dominate every aspect of development. We seek to be partners who simply and effectively resource our very capable Solomon Island friends, rather than monopolise the entire process.
It is against that setting that the involvement of Dural Sport & Leisure Centre in the Solomon’s is so exciting!
Reflections from the First Mission Trip in 2002
Edd Waters joined Brian in May 2002 travelling to the Solomon’s as the final stages of planning were put together.
Then on 9th July 2002 a team of seven flew from the cold of Sydney to the heat and humidity of Honiara for ten days of adventure, and of course, hard work.
It was a hectic schedule: up each morning at 6.30 am, and after a quick breakfast the team headed off to arrive at schools by 8 am.
Clinics were held at two Honiara schools each morning to coach children aged 7 to 14 years. Then in the afternoon those two schools came together for a challenge event in the 8 years, 10 years and 12 years categories.
The quality of play was first class. There are some very gifted young players in the Solomon’s and as each day passed the crowds in the Honiara’s Multi Purpose Hall increased in number. Something was going on here !!
The team hosted referee and coaches training over four evenings. With 40 referees and 55 coaches participating the future of this new sport in the Islands looks very promising indeed.
The team took time each day to share their Christian faith with the children and their teachers, and these were very special times. The friendly people of the Solomon’s opened their hearts to us and some special relationship were established.
The way was paved for us to partner with our Solomon friends on an ongoing basis, and to help further establish the sports ministry.
The team consisted of Mark and Scott Blunden, Brian Codrington, Paul Linton, David Martin, Rob Varela and Ben Waters. Each team member paid for their trip, but that cost was nothing in comparison to the value of the life changing experience and the friendships that were formed.
Our involvement in the Solomon’s is a great example of what can be achieved when groups work together to achieve a common goal. Our Partners in this venture over the period have been:
Samaritan’s Purse Australia – Overseas Aid Fund, who in 2002 generously provided the finance for us to purchase all the required “consumables” for the first trip– 100 indoor balls, shin pads, socks, goal posts and goal nets, bibs, cones and even whistles and pumps. Samaritan’s Purse has continued their support in a variety of ways since our first trip.
Football NSW, Futsal Department - who provided apparel and playing strips as well as funding the entry fees for the National Futsal Championships when they were held in NSW.
Capital Football, Futsal Department – who over many years have generously funded the entry fees of Solomon Island teams for participation in the Australian Nationals. Capital Football also in one of those years assisted with a grant towards accommodation in the ACT during the tournament
William Clarke College, Kellyville – who have quickly caught hold of the vision not just of kids playing sport, but of the opportunity to see lives radically changed. The schools generous funding of educational scholarships is an important part of our desire to see holistic development of players
Australian Government – AusAid – Community Sector Program – who have provided funding of our “Futsal Forging Communities” program. This funding has allowed the speedy rollout of the training of players, coaches and administrators into the provinces of the Solomon Islands
Several individuals, who wish to remain anonymous, and who have provided funds or equipment for the ongoing team in Honiara,
Friends and Church family, who continue to pray for the impact of this venture, and for wisdom and safety in all our travels and planning.
Futsal Educational Scholarship Programme
On Monday 22nd August, 2005 two 15 year-old boys from the Solomon Islands began a long-term Futsal exchange programme to Australia. Elliot Ragomo and Jack Wetney, both talented players from Honiara, were selected by their coaches and peers to participate in the inaugural year long programme. As part of the programme, the two boys participated in local Futsal competition at Dural Sport & Leisure Centre, as well as DSLC’s representative Futsal team in the Football NSW Futsal Premier League competition.
At the time, DSLC Futsal Club Coach, Rob Varela, said, ‘The boys will bring an exciting brand of skilful Futsal to our teams, and that will present a challenge to our regular representative players to raise their own abilities. We hope that the regular training will provide the Solomon boys with the opportunity to learn about the discipline required to succeed in Futsal at the highest level’.
Both Jack and Elliot also had the opportunity to participate in the Dural Warriors inaugural trip for elite players to Spain in June/July 2006.
However, with a literacy rate of only 30.3%, and with only 24% of children reaching secondary education in the Solomon Islands, the programme involved greater concerns than just sport. During their term in Australia, Ragomo and Wetney studied at William Clarke College, an Anglican school based at Kellyville. The two boys participated in school life as regular, everyday students, enrolling in Year 8 on their arrival.
William Clarke College generously committed to fully support the boys’ education needs, including tuition fees, uniforms, and excursions.
The $15,000 cost of the programme was also supported by of Michelago Limited (an Australian company with interests in the Solomon Islands), Westpac (Solomon Islands), the Solomon Islands Association of NSW.
