AUSTRALIA has contributed over SBD350,000 to support Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF) and Oceania Rugby to host the region’s premiere rugby 7s tournament for the first time in Solomon Islands.
Australia’s support for Oceania Rugby Sevens 2024 includes:
- PacificAus Sports funding to help organisers host the tournament
- playing kit for the Solomon Islands men’s and women’s national 7s teams
- equipment including coach kits, rugby union balls, cones, pumps, vests, bags, referee kits, agility sets, recovery sets, hit shields, and game day support stretchers, compressors and first aid kits
As a member of Oceania Rugby, Australia will field men’s and women’s teams in the competition.
The Australia Defence Force women’s rugby 7s team is in Honiara this week playing practice matches with the Solomon Islands women’s national rugby 7s team to help get them game ready ahead of the tournament.
Under the Defence Cooperation Program, Australia is sponsoring the captain of the women’s national rugby 7s team, Australia Defence Force Army Reservist Private Jessica Sami, to focus of preparing herself and the team ahead of Oceania Rugby Sevens 2024. Additionally, Australian Defence Force Physical Training Instructor Sergeant William Cottle has been leading strength and conditioning training for both Solomon Islands national 7s teams.
A handover ceremony for Australia’s contribution on 27 November 2024 at the National Stadium was attended by Mr Wayne Schuster, Competitions Manager at Oceania Rugby, Secretary of the SIRUF Executive Board Angikinui Francis Tekatoha, and Australian High Commission Political Counselor Mr Cameron Darragh.
SIRUF Vice President- Development Mr Moses Tepai said “SIRUF is so grateful to the Australia Defence Force and Australian Government through PacificAus Sport.
“This time is very exciting and interesting for Solomon Rugby as we will be hosting the Oceania Rugby Sevens for the first time. This assistance is therefore very timely and will really help support our National Solomon Islands Men/Women 7s Squad in preparation“.
Oceania Rugby President Mr Richard Sapias said “we are delighted to see the Oceania Rugby Sevens hosted in Solomon Islands for the very first time, made possible by the incredible support of partners like the Australian Government.
“This collaboration exemplifies the power of sport to unite our region, inspire communities, and drive development. Oceania Rugby is proud to work alongside Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation to deliver a tournament that will leave a lasting legacy for rugby in the Pacific.”
Australia’s acting-High Commissioner Mr Andrew Shloeffel said “Australia and Solomon Islands share a passion for sport. Australia provided nearly half a billion dollars to help deliver critical facilities needed for the 2023 Pacific Games, including Iumi Water Sports Park and 100 refurbished school buildings. These upgrades, initially accommodating Pacific athletes and officials, created over 1,000 jobs during their construction, and now provide a service to the education of the next generation of Solomon Islanders.
“Our Defence Cooperation Program is also prioritising increased sports engagement, with three sports mobile training team visits to Honiara this year alone. These sporting connections demonstrate the closeness of Australia and Solomon Islands. Geography made us neighbours, but it is sport that brings our people together.”
