Private Jessica Sami, who grew up in Australia, has proud Solomon Islands DNA and has bridged the two cultures through a shared love for sport.
The 29-year-old Australian Army private is also the embodiment of what the ADF is striving for through its Pacific Sports program: to increase capacity in countries like the Solomons to allow the development of grass roots sporting programs.
After moving from Australia last year to her mother's homeland of the Solomon Islands, to play rugby union, Private Sami has had opportunities that many of her Honiara neighbours could only dream of.
"The first time I came to the Solomon Islands was in 2019, when I deployed here for the elections," Private Sami said.
"People in Auki where my mum was from were so proud.
"Then in 2021 I contacted the CEO of Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport and I was like, 'I really want to play rugby', and he said 'yeah sure, come over'. So I came over and trialled for the women's 7s squad.
"Then I came here in preparation for the Pacific Games last year in July. And I went back to Australia for two weeks after the games and decided I wanted to come back and live here."
The humble midwifery student is keen to share her experience and skills. Joining the week-long Pacific Sports training program in Honiara - which is delivered in partnership with Rugby Australia - Private Sami is paying back her good fortune by helping support trainers and participants alike. She sees the ADF's support can pay dividends for locals through training and accreditation in rugby union, rugby league and volleyball.
She's an ambassador for the sport she loves and shares her enthusiasm with anyone who will listen. Director ADF International Sports, Group Captain Jay Clarke, leads sports training programs throughout the Pacific to foster this kind of passion and capacity.
"Jess is the perfect example of what we can achieve through these programs," he said.
'Whether it's gifting a community with sporting equipment ... or training up accredited coaches and game officials, from little things, big things grow.'
"If you have a talented young athlete and you support them and give them the resources to grow, they'll share that with their community.
"If the ADF can nurture that, it's a win for sport, it's a win for the Pacific and, ultimately, it's a win for Australia and the security of the region.
"Whether it's gifting a community with sporting equipment like we did this week with about 450 kids at Burns Creek, or training up accredited coaches and game officials, from little things, big things grow."
Private Sami stressed the importance of the program to the local community.
"It's a very big thing for Solomon Islands for the ADF to come and deliver these types of programs because we don't get much exposure, we don't get the accessibility to training, especially coaching and refereeing and getting the levels up," she said.
"Everyone appreciates it; everyone loves having the ADF here. Getting all the equipment as well. Just small things like rugby balls, volleyballs, it means a lot."
That love is something the Solomons women's rugby 7s squad captain enjoys most about her new home.
"My favourite thing about the Solomon Islands is probably the amount of love everyone has for each other," she said.
"Everyone shares everything they have. Everyone's just closely tied.
"I played a lot of rugby in Aussie but playing for Solomons, it feels different, you can just feel the love in the air; it's really nice."
