Soccer in Nauru – One Year On
When Nauru launched its ambitious soccer program in 2024, it seemed like a bold step for the tiny island nation.
By Gareth Johnson
The year began with a media frenzy, driven by the appointment of former Premier League star Dave Kitson as a key figure in the project.
His involvement immediately brought international attention to Nauru’s efforts to establish itself on the global soccer map.
But what has happened since then?
One year on, progress has been made, though challenges remain.
The Launch of the Nauru Soccer Kit
One of the biggest milestones of the past year was the launch of the official Nauru soccer kit. Designed in collaboration with kit makers Stingz and backed by sponsors Giordano and Young Pioneer Tours, the kit’s striking design has drawn comparisons to the iconic jerseys of Boca Juniors.
More than just a stylish uniform, these shirts have become a critical lifeline for funding soccer development on the island.
Charlie Pomroy, coach of the Nauru national team, highlighted their importance:
“Our main source of income is the shirts. If you want to help us develop, the best thing you can do is buy one.”
While sales have been decent, there is still a pressing need to sell more. The funds raised go directly toward essential equipment and infrastructure, including futsal goals, bibs, and footballs—the building blocks for nurturing the next generation of Nauruan players.
Building the Foundation
Soccer in Nauru is still in its infancy, but there are encouraging signs of growth.
Weekly training sessions and small matches are now a regular occurrence on the island.
These sessions provide not only a platform for players to hone their skills but also a sense of community and excitement around the sport.
“One of the first investments we want to do is send out futsal goals, footballs, bibs, all the essentials for people to train,” said Pomroy. Such investments are crucial for laying the groundwork for a sustainable soccer program.
Ambitions Beyond the Island
While progress on the island has been steady, the Nauru soccer team is also looking outward.
Discussions are underway about hosting a friendly match at Topside Stadium, potentially against a team of refugees.
This would be a significant step for the program, showcasing Nauru’s ability to host competitive games and fostering goodwill through sport.
Looking further afield, there are plans for Nauru to play 11-a-side matches against Kiribati or the Marshall Islands this summer.
These matches could be made possible with support from Nauru Airlines, a key partner in helping the team reach new heights.
Such international fixtures would not only provide valuable experience for Nauruan players but also put the island on the radar of the global soccer community.
The Road Ahead
Despite the challenges, the passion and determination behind Nauru’s soccer project are undeniable.
The program’s first year has laid a solid foundation, but there is still much work to be done.
Shirt sales remain a vital source of funding, and as Pomroy pointed out, purchasing one is the easiest way for supporters to contribute to the team’s development.
While things have not progressed as quickly as some might have hoped, the direction is clear.
Weekly training sessions, small matches, and plans for international fixtures all point to a brighter future for soccer in Nauru.
With continued support and a bit of patience, the island’s dream of becoming a soccer nation might just become a reality.
Check out the Stingz website if you’d like to buy the Nauru shirt.
Written by Gareth Johnson
About the author: Gareth Johnson is the founder of travel company Young Pioneer Tours, as well being part of the Nauru Soccer Federation.
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I thought it when I saw their declarations from last year than the objective they set were too high.
I think that progression they have made so far is impressive. It’s “slower” just because their objective were really tough to accomplish.
Still, with this progression, I can see them playing football very soon.
Maybe the next Pacific Games tournament will have a new face.
Good luck to them. And indeed to the whole Micronesia region.
Have yet to see any evidence of organic interest in soccer from Nauruans – rather this seems like a vanity project from outsiders who are using the box-ticking exercise of getting “every country” a national team as a way to boost their own profiles. In contrast, for the actual football code that is popular in Nauru, Australian football, they self-funded four teams (men’s and women’s, senior and under-17) to travel to Australia for the 2024 AFL Pacific Cup – and emerged with two titles. I can’t see the soccer revival ending in anything other than failure as the outsiders eventually get bored and move on.
We’re still very much there, and I was in Nauru last January. I’ll be back in the summer and we have already sold quite a few shirts. I have been doing business in Nauru since 2017 and consider Kaz a friend. Appreciate how it might look, but this is far from a vanity project and involves a lot of free hours.