After leaving Honiara as a young boy for greater opportunities in Australia, Private Jerome Leong returned determined to create those same opportunities for the next generation of Solomon Islanders.

Returning as part of the Australian Defence Force’s International Sports Program was more than just a deployment for the Army dental assistant; it was a chance to give back to the community that shaped his childhood.

Born in Sydney, Jerome moved to Honiara with his family when he was three years old and spent most of his childhood growing up in Chinatown.

He attended local schools and, like many young Solomon Islanders at the time, was introduced to sport through the classroom.

While sport was a regular part of school life, opportunities to continue playing outside the classroom were limited.

“Sport was part of the school day, but it stopped when the bell rang,” Jerome said.

“I didn’t really feel like I was missing out because I didn’t know sport outside of school existed. I thought sport was something you did at school and that was it.”

Although he enjoyed volleyball, opportunities to play competitively, receive coaching or further develop his skills beyond school were rare.

At 11 years old, Jerome moved back to Australia to continue his education, where he discovered the broader opportunities, sport could provide.

“My school had a volleyball team, where they took us away to competitions and tournaments. It was something completely new for me because I never had those opportunities growing up in the Solomon Islands,” he said.

 Years later, after joining the ADF, volleyball once again became part of his life. Through Defence sport, he continued to develop his skills before being presented with an unexpected opportunity to return to the Solomon Islands as a volleyball coach and mentor.

“When I found out there was an opportunity to come back, I was quite excited. I felt that I needed to come back and give back what I learned in Australia and hopefully share it with the people here in the Solomon Islands,” he said.

His first language returned within hours, helping bridge communication between the ADF team and local participants.

Many had only played informal volleyball and were eager to learn the skills needed to grow the sport in their communities.

The trip was also deeply personal for Jerome. Standing at Lawson Tama Stadium, just outside his childhood home, he reflected on how much had changed.

Where organised volleyball once did not exist, there are now dedicated courts, teams and regular competitions.

“When I was growing up, opportunities like this simply didn’t exist. To come back now and see people playing, competing and wanting to learn more about the sport is something I never imagined.”

He was also struck by the talent he saw, including young beach volleyball players training without a coach.

“Imagine where they could be with regular coaching and support. The talent is already there.”

“It makes me feel happy that I’m able to be here and teach them. I’m able to go overseas, gain all this experience and knowledge, then come back and share it,” he said.

For Jerome, the experience was a reminder of the unique opportunities Defence provides.

“To return home, reconnect with family and help the next generation of athletes has been a really good feeling,” he said

For Jerome, the journey had come full circle. From a young boy who only experienced sport within the school grounds to a Defence member returning as a coach and mentor, he was able to give back to the community that raised him.

In doing so, he not only shared his passion for volleyball but helped open doors for future generations of Solomon Islanders to pursue opportunities through sport and realise their own potential.