THE Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) has announced the arrival of two distinguished technical officials who will be overseeing the country’s first-ever National Football Academy.
Former English professional player, Jason Withe is appointed as the SIFF National Head Academy Manager, and former Solomon Islands International Henry Fa’arodo Jnr, taking on the role of SIFF National Academy Head Coach, is set to begin their pioneering work on this groundbreaking football project.
Withe is an experienced manager-coach and brings a wealth of knowledge to the role.
Holding a prestigious UEFA Pro License, Withe has previously served as a Lead Academy Coach for English FA clubs Aston Villa FC and Birmingham City FC. He was also a Director of Football at English Premier League (EPL) Leicester City FC and 1st Team Opposition Scout Delivering Match Reports and Player Assessments on potential new signings with Norwich City.
He also boasts international experience as the National Assistant Coach for the Thailand National Team, which triumphed in the South East Asian (SEA) Games in 2001.
Expressing his excitement about the new role, Withe stated, “It’s inspiring to see the passion for football in the Solomon Islands. I’m eager to get started, working with talented coaches and utilizing the excellent facilities here.
“My priority is to understand the local culture and environment and to integrate my management style effectively. It’s crucial to connect with the people and respect the culture as I step into this role. Football is constantly evolving, and so am I as a coach and person, eager to learn and progress further. My philosophy for football is to be prepared physically, technically, psychologically, and tactically.”
Joining Withe in this transformative initiative is Fa’arodo Jr – the Solomon Islands’ most-capped international player.
Fa’arodo brings invaluable expertise to the academy, leveraging his deep understanding of local football and experience transitioning from a player to an academy coach in New Zealand.
His role will focus on the technical aspects of the academy, aiming to elevate the skills and tactical awareness of the players.
SIFF Technical Director Moses Toata highlighted the importance of this new venture while welcoming the academy pioneering duo.
“This marks a historic step for our country as we embark on the National Academy project. It’s a crucial pathway for the development of football in the Solomon Islands, and we are thrilled to have Jason and Henry on board to lead the way.”
The establishment of the National Football Academy represents a monumental moment in the history of Solomon Islands football.
