Solomon Islands football lights up with Brisbane Roar visit

Football passion runs deep in the Solomon Islands – so when the national men’s team hosted the Brisbane Roar for the first PacificAus Sports Challenge, it felt less like an international fixture and more like a celebration of the game and the community that loves it.

During five packed days in October, the Roar played two matches, ran skills sessions with young players, and swapped ideas with Solomon Islands coaches — experiences that built relationships and captured the spirit of Pacific football at its best.

More than a match

Delivered in collaboration between the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports, Football Australia and the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF), the tour featured two fixtures: a 60-minute match against the Solomon Islands U23 side and a full 90-minute international friendly against the senior national team.

For the excited crowd at Honiara’s National Stadium, it was an unmissable chance to see homegrown heroes take on top-tier A-League competition. For the Roar, it was an experience that went far beyond the scoreboard.

“Solomon Islands is a country that lives and breathes the world game, and to be able to engage with the players and the fans was a privilege,” said Zac Anderson, Chief Operations Officer for the Roar. “We were honoured to be invited to the PacificAus Sports Challenge, and we thank the Australian Government, SIFF and Football Australia for making this trip possible.”

Building pathways for players and coaches

Hosting a professional A-League team was an invaluable experience for the Solomons’ side, according to head coach Joshua Smith.

“It is very difficult for us to get high-level international games with the [resources] we have,” he said. “To have a team like the Brisbane Roar here – a full professional side – is an amazing opportunity for our players and staff to learn and grow, as well as to inspire young talents in the country.”

Both teams made the most of the event, forging connections on and off the field.

SIFF coaching staff spent the week embedded with the Brisbane Roar, gaining new insights and approaches to integrate into their domestic programs.

Meanwhile, members of the Roar’s squad visited White River Community High School, ran skills sessions with the local S-League clubs at Lawson Tama Stadium, and met with local youth teams at the SIFF national academy, sharing experiences and inspiring young footballers.

Passion and pride on the pitch

The highly anticipated 90-minute match between the Solomon Islands national team and the Brisbane Roar was fiercely contested, with the home side striking first. Twenty-year-old debutant Clivert Sam, who spent 2024 in Fiji’s national league playing for Nadi FC, scored from a corner kick in the 40th minute – much to the delight of local fans.

“Wearing the senior national team uniform for the first time and scoring on debut was like a dream,” said Sam after the match. “It means a lot to me, and it’s also a huge milestone for the country, and for my young football career. Playing against a professional team like the Brisbane Roar is a huge learning curve — I learned a lot…and I’ve gained a lot of confidence.”

For the visitors, the experience was equally memorable.

“It’s not often you get the opportunity to be part of an event like this, in a country that is obsessed with football,” said the Roar’s captain, Jay O’Shea. “The conditions are tough, but the facilities are world-class. You can tell they take their football very seriously.”

Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, the Hon. Jeremiah Manele MP, attended the match and spoke to the crowd of football’s extraordinary reach.

“Football is more than just a game. It is a bridge that connects communities, fosters partnerships, and inspires our youth. Tonight, we see the unifying power of sport at work, strengthening our people-to-people ties and advancing regional solidarity.”

A breakthrough year for Solomon Islands football

That same momentum has powered the success of the Solomon Islands women’s team in 2025.

In February, the team travelled to Canberra for the 2025 PacificAus Sports Four Nations tournament, competing against Vanuatu, and under-20 teams from Australia and Thailand. The experience proved invaluable — and just a few months later, in Fiji, the team achieved a stunning milestone, lifting the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Women’s Nations Cup for the first time in the tournament’s history.

The team’s victory over Papua New Guinea in the final in Suva was celebrated across the Solomons. Speaking at a national event in Honiara, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele praised the team.

“Your victory is not only a win on the football pitch — it is a win for every Solomon Islander,” the Prime Minister said. “This is not just about lifting a trophy; it is about lifting an entire nation.”

A lasting legacy for football in Solomon Islands

As the Roar returned home, the lessons and inspiration of the week lingered. From debut goals to coaching insights and community engagement, the trip exemplified how PacificAus Sports partnerships open doors for Pacific athletes and strengthen football communities across the region.

Coach Joshua Smith described the partnership as “essential” to the future of Solomon Islands football.

“We hope in the future we can continue the partnership – change a lot of lives, inspire a lot of young people and take Solomon Islands football back to the top of Oceania,” he said.

With the PacificAus Sports Challenge now established, the stage is set for more professional exposure, stronger regional ties, and continued growth of the beautiful game across the Pacific.