Brisbane-backed Solomon Kings has been accepted into the Oceania Football Confederation’s new FIFA-backed Pro League, deepening links between the Solomon Islands and Queensland.
The joint venture between the Solomon Islands Football Federation and Brisbane bayside club Wynnum Wolves will play their first match in January, subject to the final licensing and compliance process.
The fledgling club has been touted as an opportunity for Australia to counter China’s growing influence in the Pacific nation, similar to the federal government’s $600 million commitment to a Papua New Guinea NRL team.
When built, the Clare Polkinghorne Centre at Wynnum Wolves’ Carmichael Park will serve as the Solomon Kings’ Australian training base.Credit: JSTN Architects
“This is a historic moment for Oceania football. For the first time, our region will have a professional league that provides a pathway for players, coaches, and clubs to compete at the highest level within the Pacific,” OFC secretary Franck Castillo said.
The Kings’ club crest.Credit: Solomon Kings FC
Other teams accepted into the eight-team competition were A-League club Auckland FC and Christchurch United from New Zealand, Bula Boys FC (Fiji), Hekari United FC (Papua New Guinea), Tahiti United, Vanuatu FC, and Oceania club of the century South Melbourne as a sole team from outside the OFC region.
Wolves president Rabieh Krayem has been named vice-chairman of the Kings, which would be jointly based out of Honiara and Brisbane.
Eventually, Krayem said, the Kings hoped to play some home matches at a redeveloped Perry Park.
“This is an historic moment for our community football club and we are extremely honoured to be building on our wonderful shared history with our great football friends in the Solomon Islands to create new opportunities for players in the Solomon Islands and at Wynnum,” he said.
