Vella Ultimate Sports Gets Kick Start from Australia

The Australian High Commissioner, Frank Ingruber, this week handed over the final sports grant funding awarded to Solomon Islands' sporting associations under the Australian Sports Outreach Program 2009-2010.

Mr Ingruber presented a cheque for more than SBD30,000 to Vella Ultimate Sports Association Chairman, Mr Tome Ladomea, to support soccer, netball and volleyball development in North Vella la Vella constituency.

VUSA was established earlier this year to take forward sports development activities in North Vella la Vella. The Australian Sports Outreach Program funding will go towards building the capacity of youths, women and community leaders in areas of coaching, refereeing and sports administration and governance.

Over the next twelve months, VUSA plans to organise and facilitate registration of the North Vella Football Association; organise a major soccer league; provide training for executives and technical staff to run the Football Association; and organise a Football Club to participate in the Honiara pre-season knock out rounds to qualify for the Honiara Division 2. It will also work to develop other sports, including netball, volleyball, basketball and athletics, as well as sporting and training facilities for local communities.

Presenting the cheque, Mr Ingruber said "the Australian High Commission is pleased to support sports development in Solomon Islands and increasing opportunities for Solomon Islands children living in remote areas to be fit and healthy and actively engaged in organised sporting activities."

VUSA was one of five sporting organisations in Solomon Islands that were successful in their application for funds through the Australian Sports Outreach Program 2009-2010. In total, these projects will receive over SBD176,000 in sports funding from the Australian Sports Commission.

Funding applications for the Australian Sports Outreach Program 2010-2011 closed on Friday 21 May. Applications will be considered by the Australian Sports Commission and successful applicants will be notified in coming months.