Former international and Auckland club footballer Henry Fa’arodo has been named as head coach for the Solomon Islands’ national youth academy.
Fa’arodo (41) made 64 appearances for the Solomon Islands, scoring 20 international goals. He also became the first Pacific Islander to land a professional contract in the men’s A-League, playing for Perth Glory in 2005.
This season, he’s played for NRF League One club Papakura City and coached at Ellerslie.
His former clubs in New Zealand include Hamilton Wanderers, Wellington Olympic, Miramar Rangers, Team Wellington, Nelson Suburbs, Auckland City, Ngaruawahia United and Franklin United.
Fa’arodo, who is working to complete his OFC/NZF B Licence as a coach, told the Solomon Islands Football Federation website: “For me, it’s a great privilege to be back home. The academy is the first of its kind in the country, and I feel this is the perfect time for me to give back to football.”
Fa’arodo says the academy provides an essential platform for developing young talent, drawing from his recent experience working with youth players.
“Especially to deal with youth football, which I have been focusing on for the past two years. I’ve been very involved, so I think there’s no better place to start than here.”
Fa’arodo worked as a SIFF Football Development Officer from 2016-2018 before leaving for New Zealand.
He took up coaching roles with Hamilton Wanderers, Franklin United and in 2024, with Ellerslie.
This story was first published on August 6, 2024.
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