15 Nov 2006

Solomons lack cash for top netball coach

3:02 pm on 15 November 2006

The President of the Solomon Islands Netball Federation or SINFED says it can not afford to hire a qualified overseas netball coach for the Pacific Games of 2007.

Delmah Nori says the Federation is in financial difficulty because it does not get any funding, unlike the Solomon Islands football team which gets money from the government and even RAMSI.

She says last year it was lucky enough to get coaching assistance from Julie Hornweg of Australia, a trip which had been arranged by expelled Australian High Commissioner, Patrick Cole.

Delmah Nori says SINFED is sending the national team to Samoa 2007 for the Pacific Games, but without the expertise of an overseas coach.

"Other countries they have qualified coach from Australia and of course New Zealand to take their teams, and that's why they are always in front of us. And we are behind because we do not have funds to assist the federation in their activities in helping our national team."

Delmah Nori.