FOR decades, football in the Solomon Islands has been powered by raw talent, passion and community pride — but largely without a professional pathway.
That is now changing, with the Solomon Kings preparing to take their place in the inaugural OFC Professional League, marking a watershed moment for the nation’s game.
For Donald Marahare, President of the Solomon Islands Football Federation, the significance of the moment is not lost.
“This is a very important moment in the history of football in the Solomon Islands,” Marahare said.
“This is effectively the first professional football club we have ever had.”
The Kings’ entry into the OFC Professional League represents more than just a new competition.
It is the first time a Solomon Islands club has been built specifically for a professional environment — one that demands not only skill on the pitch, but structure, sustainability and long-term vision off it.
“It also comes at a time when we have many very talented local players who are now being exposed to a professional football environment,” Marahare said.
“At the moment, we have around 20 local Solomon Islands players in the squad, and that is a very big achievement for us as a nation.”
While results will inevitably matter once the season begins, Marahare is clear-eyed about how success should be measured in the Kings’ first campaign.
“Development and sustainability are the priorities for us at this stage,” he said.
“Of course, competing is part of the mission, and we do believe that with the current squad and the level of preparation the players have received over the past eight weeks, we can compete.
“But our main focus is to establish the Solomon Kings as a sustainable club — a club that can be part of the football history of our country for many years to come.”
That long-term mindset underpins the Kings’ approach to everything from player preparation to partnerships.
Their pre-season base in Brisbane, including training alongside Wynnum Wolves, has provided players with facilities, support and exposure they simply do not have access to at home.
“Our partnership with Wynnum has been especially important,” Marahare said.
“There is a big difference between what we have access to in terms of facilities, experience and technical support here, compared with what we have back in the Solomon Islands.
“For many of our players, this is their first exposure to a truly professional football environment.”
The Brisbane training camp has also accelerated a crucial shift in mindset — from talented amateurs to full-time professionals.
“The environment here is completely different,” Marahare said.
“Even simple things — travelling together, training in professional facilities — have helped lift their standards and mindset.
“For most of the players, this is a major transition. They are moving from being amateur players to understanding what it truly means to be professional, in every aspect.”
That transition, he believes, will be reflected when the Kings finally take the field.
“That mindset is critical and will ultimately reflect in their performance on the field, starting with their first match,” he said.
The club’s identity is deliberately steeped in meaning.
The name Solomon Kings draws on history, culture and symbolism — and was chosen to unite a geographically dispersed nation behind a single team.
“The name is very important to us,” Marahare said.
“It has deep historical meaning and cultural value.
“One of the main reasons we chose the name Solomon Kings was to promote unity. We want support from across all islands in the country. This is a very big and challenging project, and we need everyone — government, football stakeholders and the wider community — to feel connected to it.”
That sense of connection was reinforced during the team’s visit to Minjerribah, where players engaged with local culture and community as part of their Australian tour.
“From the beginning, we have seen this as more than just a football project,” Marahare said.
“In many ways, this is one club made up of two nations — the Solomon Islands and Australia.”
The leap into professionalism has not only challenged players, but administrators as well.
“The challenge is not just for the players — it is also for administrators and for the Federation, including myself,” Marahare said.
“Previously, we were administering football largely at a grassroots level.
“Now, with the introduction of the professional league, we have to step up and fully understand what is involved in managing a professional team.”
It is a steep learning curve — but one Marahare believes will ultimately strengthen football governance back home.
“This experience is helping us grow very quickly. It is changing how we think, how we plan, and how we deliver football,” he said.
As the Kings prepare for their historic first match, Marahare’s message to supporters is simple and inclusive.
“This team belongs to everyone,” he said.
“It does not belong only to the Federation.
“It belongs to the people of the Solomon Islands, to Solomon Islanders living overseas, including here in Australia, and to supporters wherever the team plays.”
Wherever the Kings travel — Fiji, Port Moresby, Melbourne or beyond — they will carry more than a crest.
They will carry the expectations of a football nation taking its first steps into the professional era.
“We ask for support in whatever way people can offer it,” Marahare said.
“In return, the team will go out there to represent the nation with pride, to participate, and to compete at the highest level possible.”
The Solomon Kings will meet PNG Hekari in their opening OFC Pro League game this Sunday at 2pm.
Tune in to the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) page or log in to FIFA+ to watch the game unfold.
