During a trip to the Solomon Islands with international organisation Samaritans Purse Australia in December 2000, Brian and Sarah Codrington were moved by the country’s crisis due to ethnic tension and fighting. As Brian spoke with political and community leaders, the ‘cry’ from each person was that something be done for the youth of the Solomon Islands – a generation that was losing hope and confidence for a bright future.
​
There was no organised sport for any children under 14 years. Inspired to make a difference, Dural Sport & Leisure Centre (now The Centre) embarked on the mission of ‘bringing hope’ and praying lives would be transformed physically, relationally, emotionally and spiritually.
​
Over the years, the initiative has been successful in providing organized sports opportunities for children of all ages, training young indigenous adult leaders as coaches, referees, and administrators, and fostering a sense of community pride and achievement. Solomon Island junior teams have regularly traveled to Australia and won championships in the Australian National Futsal Championships. Educational scholarships have been facilitated for Solomon Island students at Sydney schools and Leadership Training Schools in the Solomon Islands, providing further opportunities for growth and development.
​
With the sports programs now self-sustainable through accreditation of local coaches and referees and funding from local businesses, our investment is now focussed on ‘growing the next generation of leaders’. The Centre contributes to the SALT (Sport and Leadership Training) ministry in which young leaders are engaged full time in leadership training and conducting Futsal classes and coaching sessions.
​
Read more about Futsal in the Solomon Islands here.
