Solomon Islands is mourning the passing of Lady Joy Kere, a respected diplomat, public servant, and sports administrator whose career broke barriers and inspired generations of women across the nation.
Beyond diplomacy, Lady Joy Kere was deeply committed to sport development and women’s leadership.
She served as President of the Solomon Islands Netball Federation (SINFED), the country’s largest women-led sporting federation. In this role, she worked tirelessly to strengthen governance, improve athlete pathways and raise the standard of netball nationally.
In March 2022, under her leadership as SINFED President, she signed an MOU formally integrating netball into the national High-Performance Program at SINIS.
Lady Joy described the partnership as a critical opportunity to develop athletes and prepare for the 2023 Pacific Games, ensuring netball athletes had access to elite training programs and support services.
She emphasised the importance of structured preparation and welcomed the national high-performance systems as vital for selecting training squads and lifting competitive standards. Her leadership helped position netball as a key sport within Solomon Islands’ high-performance framework.
Lady Joy was also widely admired as a mentor and advocate for women, encouraging young women to pursue leadership roles in diplomacy, sport and public service despite existing barriers.
Many remember her humility, wisdom and quiet determination to see Solomon Islands women succeed.
Her legacy spans diplomacy, sport, governance and nation-building. Lady Joy Kere not only represented Solomon Islands with honour on the international stage, but also helped shape stronger institutions at home.
The NSC extends its heartfelt condolences to her husband Sir Dr Nathan Kere, her family, colleagues and all those whose lives she touched.
Chair of the NSC, Sika Manuopangai, noted that “Lady Joy’s absence will be sorely felt by the sporting family. She dedicated herself to netball and the challenges of organising in all provinces to ensure young women and girls have access to the sport.
“She oversaw the move of SINFED to full membership of World Netball to ensure more support would come to the national federation and its players. We mourn her passing and extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and the netball family.”
Rest in peace, Lady Joy Kere. Your leadership and legacy will continue to inspire generations.
-NSC MEDIA
