The Solomon Islands U-14 national futsal team are in Australia to compete in the FFA National Futsal Championship in Canberra.
The 13-strong delegation is led by Solomon Islands Sports Coalition (SISC) president, Nathanial Seru, SIFF Futsal & Beach Soccer Development Officer, Dickson Kadau and team coach Caleb Fox.
Fox expressed confidence in his young squad, certain they have what it take to win the title in the Australian capital.
“We have been working hard for this tournament and I am confident my boys will compete against the best state teams in our category,” he said.
“This team consists mostly of players who have come through our development programme over the years. Most of my boys played in the past championship with the national U-12 so we have the experience to do well.”
Team Manager Seru highlights the fact the team is a testament to futsal development in the country.
“The development of the sport continues today and the team’s participation comes out as a result of it.
“If the country focuses on the adults and forgets about the development work in the game for these young ones, I think it might go the same way as other sports like beach soccer where we used to be up there, but not anymore,” he said.
The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) met the traveling expenses including airfares and visas for the team.
The Solomon Islands U-14s are in Group B of the AFF National Futsal Championship with Capital Football, New South Wales Metro Lighting, Football SA Blue and Football West Black Swans.
They will begin the competition with a tough encounter against Football NSW Metro Lightning on Monday 13th January at ANU Sports Centre.