PRESS RELEASE : Pacific delegation to visit Lionesses at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 [July 2023]

Lead officials in women’s sport from Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu and Samoa, will have access to a training session with the England Women’s Football team at the home of the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford.

The delegation will receive briefings on coaching, nutrition and women’s sport development, and host a session at Central Coast Sports College. The UK government is sponsoring the visit as part of our partnership with the Pacific.

British High Commissioner Vicki Treadell will meet with the delegation, who will be hosted in Australia by Nicola Noble, UK Deputy High Commissioner to Fiji. The delegation will also meet with UK Sports Minister Stuart Andrew.

Vicki Treadell, UK High Commissioner to Australia said:

I am delighted to have this amazing Pacific group with us. The UK continue to champion all aspects of women’s sport around the world.

We are committed to removing barriers to participation amongst women and girls, raising the profile of women’s sport, and ensuring women are fairly represented at all levels across the sector.

Nicola Noble, UK Deputy High Commissioner to Fiji said:

I’m delighted to host our Pacific delegation in Australia for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Sport is a unifying force across the Pacific and we have a fantastic programme of activity for our visitors this week.

Ileen Pegi Moffat, Captain of the Solomon Islands National Women’s Football Team said:

This is an opportunity worth sharing with the Solomon Islands National Women’s Football team after our visit.

But also, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us on a personal level, having to train alongside the Lionesses.

British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands and Nauru, Thomas Coward met the two delegates from Solomon Islands at their training in Honiara over the weekend, congratulating them for the opportunity.

Among other leading Pacific football players and officials, both the Solomon Islands delegates will spend one week in Australia to join the Lionesses training camp and have the opportunity to witness them take on Denmark in their Group D Match on Friday 28 July.

The senior team captain and vice-captain of the Solomon Islands Women’s National Football team, Ms Pegi and Solo will then return to Honiara on Saturday 29 July 2023.