Hekari say ‘no pain, no gain’

Club name: Hekari United
Year of establishment: 2003
Motto: No pain, no gain.
Franchise owner: Vonnie Kapi Nato
Head coach: Jerry Allan (Solomon Islands)
Assistant coach: Erickson Komeng
Captain: David Muta
Vice-captain: Koriak Upaiga
Squad: Ismael Pole, Daniel Joe, Shane Sakael, Junior David, Koriak Upaiga, David Muta, Nathan James, Wilson Gia, Kolu Kepo, Jonah Philip, Gibson Daudau, Laslie Kalai, Kila Polena, Fredy Kepo, Frank Taboroyan, Cyril Muta, Redeer Sakino, Ati Kepo.
Sponsors: Mineral Resources Development Company, Hekari Holdings, Kutubu Security Services.
National Soccer League titles: Nine.
Minor premierships: 10
Grand final appearances: Nine — 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014.
Background: Hekari are based in Port Moresby. They entered the NSL in 2006.
Since the start of the semi-professional competition, Hekari have won nine titles and 10 minor premierships.
Accomplishments: Hekari are the only Pacific Island country to represent the Oceania Football Confederation at the Fifa Club World Cup.
With so much success, Hekari have sent abroad players in the likes of Kema Jack (retired), Daniel Joe, Koriak Upaiga, David Muta and Tommy Semmy — who plays in New Zealand.
Before going to New Zealand, Semmy had a stint in the Solomon Islands.
Selection: Hekari recruit players from the rural setting and develop them into good footballers.
All their players attend the Hekari Football Academy.
Eight members of the squad are development players.
Some of Hekari’s players are from East New Britain, West New Britain, Sepik, Central, Morobe, Hagen and Bougainville.
The others are from the National Capital District Public Servants Soccer Association, of which the franchise owner is the president.