The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) has officially announced the appointment of Australian Daniel Barrett as the new head coach of the Solomon Islands Women’s National Football Team.
Barrett, who arrived in the country last week, brings with him a wealth of experience in the women’s game.
He has previously coached Australian A-League Women’s sides Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers, and in 2022 served as Technical Director for the Central Coast Mariners’ female program.
Speaking to the media for the first time as head coach, Barrett expressed his excitement about leading the national team and helping them reach their goals.
“I feel very honoured, very privileged to take charge of this national team. It’s a region I know very, very well and I think in women’s football this is the most exciting women’s team we have in the region,” he said.
“To take charge of this team is a massive honour and I just want everyone in the Solomon Islands to know we’re doing everything we can to help this team achieve the goals that they want to achieve.”
The new coach wasted no time, holding his first training session with the team on Friday, and said he was impressed by what he saw.
“This is an attacking team and I think if you look at the recent Nations Cup, this is a team that likes to go forward and play attacking football. I like to play attacking football, so I think that’s where we fit well,” he said.
Barrett also emphasized his commitment to developing young players coming through the system.
“There’s some very good young girls as well and we’re talking about girls as young as 15 and 16 years old, that are coming through.
“So what I would like to see happen, and what I was very happy with after that first training session, was that we have a bit of depth.
“We have more than our team, and it’s my responsibility now to make sure that these girls continue to develop and fit into the way we want to play our football, which is attacking football and to keep our success sustained, keep going, keep going forward,” he added.
Coach Barrett’s first assignment will come next month as the team prepares for the 2025 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup in Papua New Guinea (PNG), with the women’s edition set to make its debut.
“So I look forward to the upcoming tournament in PNG, and this will be a good opportunity for me to see my girls play live, and also get a good understanding, a live understanding of our opponents when it comes to next year’s World Cup qualifiers,” Barrett stated.
The newly appointed coach also left a message for local football fans and supporters as he begins his journey.
“I know this is an important team for the country and I know that responsibility. I’m football crazy.
“I’m passionate about football, and it’s very, very important to work in a country that’s the same. I understand its importance and the energy that it can give.
“So, to the Solomon Islands community, I just want to say that I will do everything I can to take this team forward.
“It’s an exciting team and I also want to help the younger teams, the 16s, the 19s because we have good players there. So just understand I’ll be doing everything I can to take this team forward,” he added.
Barrett and a 20-player travelling squad, along with team officials, are expected to depart for Port Moresby on November 7.
By TIMOTHY INIFIRI JNR
Solomon Star, Honiara
