“Bridging the Divide" Tournament in Rennell Bellona province ended on a high note with hosts Sipa United soccer club snathching the first prize whilst Suvania netball club walking away with the netball prize.
The Christmas tournament was hosted by the Sipa United Sports Club from the 14th to the 23rd of December last year.
The Australian Sports Outreach Program was funded by AusAID.
Organizers of the tournament said that had it not been for the generous support of AusAID, it would have been difficult to host such a huge event.
"We are very grateful for the support, we have been able to successfully host a huge sporting event and the real winners were the youths of our communities," said Eva Pongi, speaking on behalf of the organizing committee.
The Sports tournament involved nine soccer teams and nine netball teams from Rennell and Bellona.
An inaugural Under-15 girls’ soccer match was also held at the opening of the games, which was won by East Bellona 2-1.
"There is promise with our girls, we just need to continue to encourage them to come forward and understand that soccer is no longer just a men's game," said Mrs Pongi.
The final of the soccer competition was between Sipa United and Akaumoana.
The game ended in a one all draw and a penalty shootout determined the winner. Sipa United maintained composure and came out ontop of its opponents.
Meanwhile, Suvania netball club proved too strong for TNT defending the former champions of the Province, edging TNT in the finals to walk away with the first prize.
"We have achieved the main objective of our tournament and that was to engage youths in sporting activities, keeping them away from trouble and raising their self esteem on the pitch," said Mrs Pongi.
Sipa FC will now represent Rennell-Bellona Province in the Our Telekom Soccer Club Championship later in the year.
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