Spanish football club Real Oviedo is set to expand its global academy network into the Pacific, with plans underway to establish a football academy in the Solomon Islands through a partnership with local club Real Varane FC.
The academy will operate as a private partnership between the Spanish side and Real Varane FC, aiming to provide young Solomon Islands players with access to professional-level training and development based on Real Oviedo’s official football methodology.
Real Varane FC president Deckon Kuong confirmed to Star Sports that preparations are already progressing, with player registration expected to be announced later this month. The program is scheduled to commence in early March.
“As soon as we complete some of the final paperwork, hopefully in the coming weeks, we will open registration for U8s up to U18s and above,” Kuong said.
“What was once a dream for many will now become a reality, with a professional academy set to be established in the Solomon Islands. I am super excited about this, and I believe that if we had established something like this a decade ago, the Solomon Islands would now be playing at the World Cup.”
Kuong said the Solomon Islands academy will follow the same professional framework used by Real Oviedo worldwide, with all training programs designed and delivered under the club’s direct guidance.
“What makes this different is that all the syllabus and programs will come directly from them. They will also provide training courses for our local coaches, and we expect experts from Real Oviedo to visit throughout the year,” he explained.
According to Kuong, the project has received the green light from the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF), with plans to work closely alongside the governing body where possible.
“I will also be meeting with SIFF in the coming weeks so they can include this as a pathway for graduates from the national academy, while our program remains open to the public,” he added.
Kuong revealed that the partnership began through a mutual contact living in Oviedo, which led to discussions with the club’s International Relations Officer and eventually an agreement to establish the academy locally.
“Through a mutual friend living in Oviedo, Spain, I was able to speak with the club’s International Relations Officer last year, and they agreed to set up an academy here,” he said.
Founded in Spain, Real Oviedo has significantly expanded its international footprint in recent years through its academy network and soccer schools. As of 2026, the club operates academies across Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, and Europe, providing young players with structured development under Spanish coaching supervision.
One of the club’s most recent projects is Escuela Real Oviedo Egypt, launched in late 2025 and fully operational by January 2026.
The Egyptian academy currently operates across two locations with approximately 160 players, with plans to open a third site later this year.
Beyond player development, the Solomon Islands partnership will also focus on capacity building for local coaches, with certified training courses and regular visits from Real Oviedo technical experts expected throughout the year.
Kuong confirmed that further details regarding age categories, training venues, and coaching staff will be released once registration officially opens.
The launch of the Real Oviedo academy represents a major milestone for football development in the Solomon Islands, offering young players a long-awaited, structured pathway aligned with European professional standards.
“Our players have always had the potential, but for a long time there was no proper pathway,” Kuong said.
“Now, with this program and the OFC Pro League, our players will finally have more than one door open to chase their dreams.”
Meanwhile, founded in 1926, Real Oviedo made its return to Laliga after a 24-year-absence and over the years have produced superstars like Santi Carzola and Juan Mata..
By TIMOTHY INIFIRI JNR
Solomon Star, Honiara
