Wardstrip Demonstration Primary School students with a Solomon Kings FC player during the team's school visit in Port Moresby on Thursday. Photo: OFC Pro League
Solomon Islands FC, Tahiti United, South Island United and Vanuatu United FC stepped beyond the pitch, taking part in a series of community visits across PNG's capital that highlighted football's growing role in social responsibility and community engagement.
OFC media said as part of the initiative, Solomon Islands FC and Tahiti United visited Wardstrip Demonstration Primary School, the largest primary school in Papua New Guinea, which caters to more than 3500 students.
Players spent time with Grade 5 students, delivering a fun-filled session that combined football skills demonstrations with interactive activities, creating an atmosphere of excitement and inspiration.
South Island United continued the community outreach by visiting Cheshire Homes Disability, reinforcing the importance of inclusion and support for people living with disabilities.
Cheshire Homes Disability Centre students with a South Island United player during the team's community visit on Thursday. Photo: OFC Pro League
Vanuatu United FC paid a visit to Carr Memorial Adventist School, where players engaged students through juggling displays and a game of football with the players against the students.
"Across all visits, players connected with children through shared experiences, demonstrating that football can be a powerful tool for education, inclusion and positive social impact. For the students, the opportunity to interact with elite players would have created lasting memories, reinforcing messages around teamwork, discipline and healthy lifestyles," the OFC said.
"OFC views these school and community visits as a key component of its commitment to social responsibility, using the Pro League platform to build meaningful connections with local communities.
"There are plans to continue incorporating player community engagements into upcoming OFC Pro League rounds, including future visits in the Solomon Islands and Fiji, ensuring football continues to give back to the communities that support the game."
The teams return to the field at the Santos National Football Stadium on Saturday for the second last day of matches of round two.
Tahiti United players get to meet students of Wardstrip Demonstration Primary School in Port Moresby during their community visitation on Thursday. Photo: OFC Pro League
Auckland FC will take on Solomon Kings FC in the first game of the day at 2:30pm (NZT), before local side PNG Hekari FC battle South Island United in a must win game for the side.
Hekari are at the bottom of the points table after they lost four of their five matches so far, with a single point to their name from a draw.
The club this week also lost head coach Marcos Gusmao, who resigned from his job.
General Manager Wira Mama said in a statement on Wednesday that assistant coach Jerry Allan was taking over for the remainder of the season.
Hekari also have one game pending from the first round, that against Tahiti United, with the match day yet to be confirmed.
Wardstrip Demonstration Primary School students with a Solomon Kings FC player during the team's school visit in Port Moresby on Thursday. Photo: OFC Pro League
On Sunday, the last two matches for the second round will feature South Melbourne FC against Vanuatu United FC, while Tahiti United will take on Bula FC.
Competition in the third round will then move to Australia from 21-28 February.
Auckland FC lead the points table with 15 points from their five wins so far, with South Melbourne FC at second place on eight points.
Bula FC is on third spot with five points, ahead of Solomon Kings FC and South Island United, who also have five points each to their names.
