By Eliza Kukutu
Practise session for High Commissioner Paul Turner with coach Ben Gollings
Former England Rugby international, Ben Gollings, was in Honiara last week, as a guest of the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation.
He was meeting and coaching teams involved in the Solomon Ports National Sevens Rugby Championship.
Gollings hopes it’s the start of a strengthened partnership between the UK and Solomon Islands on Rugby Union.
British High Commissioner, Paul Turner hosted Gollings at his Residence on Thursday where they discussed plans for increasing Rugby links between Solomon Islands and the UK.
Gollings was focused on building up youth Rugby Sevens in the country and was keen to look for opportunities to send Solomon Islands players to Melrose in Scotland.
Melrose is the home of Rugby Sevens, founded 140 years ago, and from where it has grown to become a global sport.
High Commissioner Turner said Rugby Sevens was well suited for Solomons given the ease with which the game can be organised and its accessibility. The High Commissioner said he hoped Sevens would take off the same way it has in Fiji.
Gollings was the national coach for the Fiji Rugby Sevens Team when they won the World Cup in 2022.
As a player, Gollings played both Rugby Union 15s and Rugby Sevens. He was England’s top scorer in Rugby Sevens, scoring over 2,600 points, in a distinguished international and club career. He retired in 2011.
ENDS//
– BHC Honiara
