The Nauru Soccer Federation is pleased to announce the appointment of former English Premier League player Dave Kitson as the new national team manager and international ambassador. Kitson, renowned for his successful football career with Reading, Stoke, Portsmouth, and Sheffield United, has amassed an impressive 81 appearances in the English Premier League and 155 in the Championship, with a total of 69 career goals.
The Nauru Soccer Federation conveyed their delight in Dave Kitson’s appointment through an official announcement on their website. Joining forces with English national team head coach Charlie Pomroy, Kitson is set to assume the managerial role for Nauru’s national football team.
Gareth Johnson, Director of International Development for Nauru and the founder of Young Pioneer Tours, revealed that the decision to appoint Kitson has been in the works for some time. He articulated, “I initially connected with Dave in 2020 due to our mutual interest in travel, leading to discussions about various projects, including Nauru. With rapid progress, I am pleased to extend him the managerial role.”
In an exclusive interview with Football in Oceania, Johnson underscored the Nauru Soccer Federation’s eagerness in welcoming Kitson onboard. He emphasized Kitson’s genuine dedication to the project and the strategic intent behind his high-profile appointment, aiming to benefit not only Nauru but the entire region.
Furthermore, Johnson unveiled plans to establish a Micronesia Football Federation, involving participation from Kiribati, Micronesia, Palau, Tuvalu, and the Marshall Islands, with a tournament slated for next summer.
Amidst these developments, Nauru also expressed their intention to engage in a football match with American Samoa later this year, signaling an exciting phase for football in the region, with new leadership and cooperative initiatives on the horizon.
The appointment of Dave Kitson as Nauru’s new national team manager and international ambassador, coupled with the establishment of a regional football federation and upcoming matches, signals promising prospects for the advancement and nurturing of football in Nauru and the broader Oceania region.