The trials kicked off on 15 February with around 30 players opening the first set of trial matches. This number increased on the second and third day with more of the senior national players turning up for the trials including Gideon Omokirio, Judd Molea and Henry Fa’arodo.
From the first three days, the National Team Selection Panel chose two preliminary squads who will now play each other today in what will be the final assessment match for this part of the selection programme.
Noel Wagapu, coordinator of the national team selection programme, says that the number of players who turned for the programme was less than expected but organisers are happy with what has been achieved.
“We started a bit slowly but the quality of the players more than makes up for the number and I am confident that the programme has met its objectives,’ Wagapu said.
Wagapu acknowledged that some of the top players in the country are overseas and were not able to attend the trials. However, he explained that these players may attend further trials that will be held later on in the year and can still make it into the final squad.
A number of the players participating in the trials are under 20 years of age so the selection panel has decided to place them in a holding list for the national U-20 team. This team will get a call up later in the year to prepare for the OFC U-20 Championship in Auckland in 2011.
The senior national team is scheduled to play two international matches in 2010 including the Wantok Cup match with Vanuatu in July.
The biggest tour of duty will be to the 2011 Pacific Games in New Caledonia and SIFF is hoping that this early start with the preparations will help Solomon Islands turn its fortunes at the competition.
Story and photo courtesy SIFF Media