Australian coach to help SI 7s’ teams for PG2023

The Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF) has engaged Australian Rugby coach Chris Nay to advise the Solomon Islands 7s teams at the Pacific Games. Nay will arrive in Honiara this week and hold a multi-day training camp with SIRUF teams and coaches at the Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport.

 

Nay expressed his enthusiasm for working with the local coaches and teams, “I am excited to be working with SIRUF and their national Rugby Sevens program. I can’t wait to help the Solomon Islands’ Rugby players bring some very exciting Rugby for the fans at the Pacific Games”.

Nay’s engagement to advise the Solomon Islands 7s teams has been made possible thanks to a partnership between SIRUF, the Australian Government, and Rugby Australia. The Australian Government will fund this Pacific Games Rugby partnership through Australia’s PacificAus Sports Program, building on Australia’s ongoing support for the Solomon Islands ahead of the Pacific Games.

SIRUF President George Tema expressed his excitement for this partnership, “this partnership marks an important milestone in the development of Solomon Islands Rugby, and we will surely see a very positive impact on the women’s and men’s teams”.

Australian High Commissioner Rod Hilton reflected on the role sport plays in strengthening connections between the Solomon Islands and Australia, “the partnership between the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation and Rugby Australia celebrates our shared passion for sport and demonstrates Australia’s commitment through programs like PacificAus Sports, to sharing its sporting expertise with the Solomon Islands”.

Rugby Australia’s Pacific Partnerships Manager, Dan Millis,  praised SIRUF for their support of the global game of Rugby Union, “this is an exciting Rugby partnership, and we are incredibly pleased to have been able to support the SIRUF through the engagement of Chris Nay, who is a well-credentialed and experienced coach.  We wish the Solomon Islands all the best for their campaign at the Pacific Games”.

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