Elsewhere In Football #25
Building Football Culture, One Ball at a Time — A Personal Journey in Nauru
Three years ago, I was asked to get involved in a project connected to Nauru — initially to support as a coach alongside former professional Dave Kitson.
At the time, it was a simple idea: help introduce football to a country where the game had never truly existed.
But as the project has grown, so has my role.
Today, I’m working as Technical Director, helping shape a long-term vision for football on the island — building something from nothing, with the right foundations in place.
‘1 Child • 1 Ball’ — Where It All Begins...
We’ve now launched our first major initiative:
‘1 Child • 1 Ball’
The aim is straightforward — to deliver a football to every child aged 4–14 in Nauru this year.
It’s a simple concept, but in a place where there is no football infrastructure, no established pathways, and very limited access to equipment, it’s a huge step.
Before you can talk about teams, leagues, or international matches — you need a ball.
This is that first step.
The People Behind the Project....
This journey has only been possible because of some incredible people.
From the very beginning, STINGZ have been all-in. Ernie and his wife Lisa have supported this vision from day one — their belief, energy, and commitment have been constant throughout.
We’ve also had backing from Giordano since the start, which has made a real difference in getting us to this point. Gareth Johnsen & Kaz Cain are the founding members of what we're doing and are responsible for the whole project getting off the ground.
And now, there’s a growing team working behind the scenes — a group of passionate people giving their time voluntarily to help move this project forward. Anil, Dan, Jaccopo are continously putting in long hours to support the project. Their effort often goes unseen, but it’s absolutely vital.
Building Something That Lasts....
While the immediate goal is to provide footballs to around 3,500 children, this is just the beginning.
We’re already planning the next phase — including a coach development programme later this year, ensuring we don’t just introduce football, but support it properly as it grows.
This has always been about doing things the right way — building sustainably, with purpose.
Why This Matters....
Nauru has never played an official international football match. There’s no existing football structure.
So we’re creating one.
From the ground up.
Football has the ability to bring people together, improve health, and create opportunity — especially for young people. That’s what sits at the heart of everything we’re trying to do.
How You Can Get Involved...
If you’d like to be part of this journey, you can:
⚽ Buy a football for a child
👕 Purchase the official Nauru home kit (we’ll donate a ball in your name)
🤝 Explore corporate partnership opportunities
Every contribution goes directly into delivering footballs and supporting the wider development programme.
👉 Support the initiative here:
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