The Solomon Islands Football Federation have made the first step towards preparations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and Pacific Games 2023 with the announcement of a 47-strong women’s national team training squad.
Last year’s inaugural Solrais Women’s Premier League proved the perfect hunting ground for talent with players selected from across the gamut of participating teams. As expected, however, the majority of players selected for the training squad represent one of the top four sides – RSIPF Royals, Koloale FC, Naha FC and Frigates United.
Like a number of pacific island nations, Solomon Islands is yet to name their women’s national team coach, with SIFF technical director and former men’s coach, Moses Toata stepping up as interim coach.
Toata said the first meeting for the training squad is on Thursday 3 February, with training expected to begin towards the end of the month.
The decision to name a training squad is a big step for the federation, with two major tournaments coming up in 2023.
The additional half-berth available to Oceania in qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup means teams wanting to compete need to begin their journey now, with the competition from outside Oceania for that half-berth expected to be fierce.