PM Manele says Wynnum Wolves deal will transform Solomons’ football future
SOLOMON Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has hailed a landmark partnership with Wynnum Wolves as “transformative”, saying it will reshape player development and support the nation’s first-ever professional football club.
In July, the national government, Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) and Wolves joined forces to launch the Solomon Kings, who will compete in FIFA’s Oceania Football Confederation Pro League from January.
During a visit to Brisbane, Mr Manele inspected the Wolves’ facilities at Carmichael Park with councillors Lisa Atwood and Alex Givney, seeing first-hand the elite environment where the Kings will soon train.
He said the partnership had the potential to overhaul football pathways in both countries, opening doors for emerging Solomon Islands talent while strengthening Wolves’ connections across the Pacific.
The Wolves-SIFF partnership will drive grassroots development for players aged 10 to 16, bolster coach-education pathways, and create international exposure opportunities through Wynnum’s global partners.
“I believe that the initiative we now have has a transformative nature moving forward in both countries,” Mr Manele said.
“We share a strong passion for football. That passion transcends boundaries and borders.
“It’s important for our youth, for our people, so I believe it has the capacity to transform young lives, but also communities going forward.
“And it is a partnership that we would like to work on.”
Mr Manele said the collaboration also strengthened broader ties between Australia and the Solomon Islands, extending well beyond government relationships.
“These exchanges are very, very important – we share the same values and principles – and we are neighbours in the Pacific,” he said.
“Sport has the capacity to make friendships, to build unity, and more understanding between countries and people.”
The Prime Minister also praised the Solomon Islands women’s national team after its historic OFC Women’s Nations Cup victory in July, defeating Papua New Guinea 3-2 after extra time in Suva.
“They’ve done slightly better than the men and we are impressed with the progress that they have made,” he said.
“From very humble beginnings, I hope they continue to do well.”
He said the new tie-up with Wolves would inspire young Solomon Islanders to fully pursue their football ambitions, with the Oceania Pro League designed to elevate the sport across the Pacific.
“Either playing in Australia, New Zealand or in Europe, we would like to encourage our players, both male and females, to focus on their football journey,” he said.
“That’s why partnerships like this with Wynnum Wolves are important.”
Sport, he said, was central to nation-building.
“As a government we have four pillars,” he said.
“We have economic transformation, structural development, unity and stability, as well as human capital development.
“Sport relates to two pillars directly – unity and stability and human capital development.
“Whenever there is a national soccer match in Honiara, and the Solomons wins, it brings the whole country together so that’s the unity we’re talking about.”
Wynnum Wolves President and Solomon Kings Vice Chairman Rabieh Krayem said the initiative was also an exercise in sports diplomacy, using football as a platform to deepen people-to-people ties while supporting the Solomon Islands’ push to lift education standards.
Exposure to structured training environments, leadership programs and high-performance systems would help young players develop discipline, confidence and academic skills, contributing to long-term human capital development.
“Everyone wants to be an elite footballer, but I think the biggest thing in the partnership we are working on, is to create better people and give young players hope that one day they can achieve their dreams,” Mr Krayem said.
“It’s not just about the elite kids, but it’s also telling young kids who start the football journey, they don’t need to leave the Solomon Islands to be a professional player.
“Particularly the female game, it’s about giving them the opportunities, for the best players, to come here and train and play – that’s where we’re going to see a significant legacy for football in the Solomon Islands.”
Cr Atwood said the partnership reflected the shared community-focused values of both nations.
“I know the partnership we have with Germany with Dortmund has been amazing for the club and it’s been really exciting for the kids,” she said.
“I know they’ll be equally as excited to play with some of your players and it’s going to be amazing.”
Cr Givney said its impact would extend far beyond football.
“You’re building a relationship that won’t just benefit soccer and football. It will benefit your whole community in different ways,” she said.
“We see these children come through from little, tiny tackers all the way up to adults.”
