Volunteers work to introduce football to Nauru, the world’s smallest island nation
9 reported
According to a BBC News report, a group of volunteers led by British former academy player Charlie Pomroy is working to introduce football to Nauru, the world's smallest island nation. Nauru has never fielded a team in an official international match and has only one hard sand pitch. The island has one of the highest obesity rates in the world, with 69% of the population classed as obese and around 40% having type 2 diabetes. The volunteers have launched a campaign to give every child aged four to 14 a football, roughly 2,000 children, and are working with churches and the island's 11 schools. Pomroy, who is technical director for Nauru Soccer, plans to arrive for a training camp in December to set up coaching programmes. The Nauru Soccer Federation has a real website where it sells national team shirts to raise funds. The project faces challenges including limited usable land, communication issues due to storms wiping out internet, and a history of promises that have let Nauruans down.
What’s reported
Nauru has never fielded a team in an official international match.
The island has just one hard sand pitch for football.
69% of the population is classed as obese, and around 40% have type 2 diabetes.
Volunteers aim to give every child aged 4 to 14 a football, roughly 2,000 children.
Charlie Pomroy is technical director for Nauru Soccer and a British former academy player.
Pomroy previously set up a charity in Cambodia that produced 47 professional players.
A past attempt to introduce football involved former Premier League striker Dave Kitson, but the match never happened for financial reasons.
Nauru will host the Micronesian Games in 2028, a multi-sport event that includes football.
The Nauru Soccer Federation sells national team shirts to raise funds.
Key figures
Charlie Pomroy, technical director for Nauru Soccer and British former academy player
Tyrone Deiye, volunteer and urban planner in Nauru
Dave Kitson, former Premier League striker (mentioned in past attempt)
Sources: BBC News
