“Nikao Sokattak is Rose’s passion”

The strength of football in any country is highly dependent on the state of its clubs. Professional football clubs have the resources to pay administrators to ensure that their organisations are well structured and controlled. But what about small football clubs who rely on volunteers in order to see that their clubs operate in an efficient manner? Usually this falls on the shoulders of a dedicated few who have a passion to see their club thrive within their community. One of these dedicated few is Rose Emile who alongside members of the Nikao Sokattak committee members ensures that their football club retains its highly rated status in the Rarotongan football scene.
One could not fail to notice the efficiency in which the Nikao club fulfilled its requirements in a recent fixture against Matavera. Despite travelling across the Island to complete the evening fixtures, Nikao’s teams were entered in all categories, they were on time, well prepared, correctly kitted out and ready for action. In order to arrange for young people of ten years and upward to be picked up from school and organised into teams and transported to the game is no easy task, but it is a challenge which Rose and her community minded helpers relish.
Born and bred in the village of Nikao, Rose has been associated with the Soccer club for nine years. She takes immense pride in the method in which the Nikau Sokattak committee work together in order to enhance the reputation of their club.
Rose explains, “Prior to the season we approach the Principal’s of both the local schools and asked them to send any kids who want to play soccer to the field”. She remarks,”Committee members chase up the kids to make sure that they go to training”. For away games, she describes how meeting places are arranged at four local locations and players are picked up from there.
Rose emphasizes the importance of a joint effort by all Nikao’s committee members; these members often have their own children playing for the club.
On a personal note, there is no question about the affection she has for the village of Nikao and this provides the motivation to involve herself in the local community. She loves the game of football; her own three children have played and now her grandchildren are taking part. With the support of her husband, Ria, she has contributed countless hours in the interests of her club. The input from officials of Rose’s calibre to the infrastructure of football clubs, and football in general, on Rarotonga is immeasurable and if others can follow her example the future of football on this Island is assured.

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