Football Memorabilia Auction to Support One Child One Ball Campaign in Naoero

Signed Naoero national football shirts and a pair of signed New Balance football boots go under the hammer to help bring football to children across the Pacific island nation.

Football fans and collectors have the opportunity to own a unique piece of football memorabilia while supporting an ambitious grassroots football initiative, with three Naoero national football shirts, home, away, goal-keeper and a pair of signed New Balance football boots, being auctioned on eBay to raise funds for the One Child One Ball campaign.

The three shirts, comprising the home, away and goalkeeper kits of the Naoero national football team, designed and produced by STINGZ™, have been signed by Everton FC player Tyler Dibling. The auction also features a signed pair of New Balance football boots.

         

All funds raised through the auction will support the One Child One Ball campaign, launched earlier this year by the Naoero Soccer Federation, formerly known as the Nauru Soccer Federation.

The initiative aims to give every child on the island their first football and lay the foundations for a sustainable football culture in a nation where the game is yet to become established.

 

 

From grassroots football in Devon to a footballing future in the Pacific

The shirts were signed by Dibling at the inaugural Tyler Dibling Legacy Football Tournament, held on August 30th 2026 at his hometown club of Millwey Rise FC, Axminster, Devon, of which STINGZ™ was also a sponsor. 

The event celebrated the professional footballer's early beginnings in grassroots football and brought together local youth teams for a day of fun, competition and community spirit. Dibling began playing football at Millwey Rise as a young child, making the tournament a celebration of the club and community that helped him take his first steps in the game.

The event's message closely reflects the ambitions of the One Child One Ball campaign.

While young players in Devon had the opportunity to enjoy organised matches, coaching and competition, children in Naoero face a very different starting point. The island currently lacks established football teams, structured coaching pathways and competitive leagues.

The One Child One Ball campaign aims to change that, beginning with the simple but powerful ambition of putting a football into the hands of every child on the island.

By raising funds through the auction, football supporters can help create opportunities for children in Naoero to experience the same enjoyment, confidence, teamwork and sense of belonging that grassroots football provides to young people in communities across the UK.

More than a football: building a lasting legacy

The One Child One Ball campaign is the first step in a longer-term vision to establish football in Naoero from the ground up.

The initial objective is to provide every child on the island with a football. Future ambitions include bringing experienced coaches to the country to train local educators and volunteers, helping develop the skills and knowledge needed to create sustainable football opportunities for future generations.

Over time, the initiative hopes to support the development of teams, playing facilities and organised competitions, giving young people more opportunities to participate in sport.

The campaign also recognises the wider benefits football can bring, from encouraging physical activity and supporting community wellbeing to creating connections between people and helping mobilise communities around environmental challenges.

As the campaign explains, football in Naoero is about more than the game itself. It is an opportunity to invest in young people, strengthen communities and help build a lasting sporting legacy.

STINGZ™: official kit partner to the Naoero Soccer Federation

The auction is supported by STINGZ™, the official kit partner of the Naoero Soccer Federation, which designs and supplies the nation's bespoke football shirts.

STINGZ™ was founded by Ernie Stobbs, who also lives in Axminster, Devon. 

He said: "I have been involved in grassroots football my entire life and the Tyler Dibling Legacy Tournament is a fantastic celebration of youth football at its finest. 

"What Tyler aims to achieve with this tournament and his charity foundation aligns with STINGZ™ partnership with the Naoero Soccer Federation, and its mission to create football opportunities and grow the sport from the ground up, through it's One Child One Ball Campaign. 

"STINGZ™ is proud to be a sponsor for Tyler Dibling Legacy Tournament and we are proud to partner with ambitious projects like the One Child One Ball campaign, to develop a footballing future for young people around the world."

 

Nauru Soccer Federation becomes Naoero Soccer Federation

The fundraising initiative also comes at a significant moment in the nation's history.

Following the country's decision to adopt the official name Republic of Naoero, the football organisation has recently changed its name from the Nauru Soccer Federation to the Naoero Soccer Federation.

The change reflects the nation's decision to restore the traditional name used in its national language. President David Adeang has explained that the spelling and pronunciation of Naoero better reflect the country's heritage, language and identity.

The federation's updated name marks an important step in reflecting that national identity, while its One Child One Ball campaign looks towards the future by creating new opportunities for the next generation.

How to take part in the auction

Football supporters, Everton fans and collectors of unique international football shirts are encouraged to take part in the eBay auction.

Bidders will have the opportunity to own a set of three signed Naoero national team shirts — home, away and goalkeeper — alongside a signed pair of New Balance football boots, while contributing to an initiative with the potential to make a lasting difference to children's lives.

Every contribution will help the Naoero Soccer Federation move closer to its ambition of putting a football in the hands of every child on the island and building the foundations for the future of grassroots football.

To find out more about the campaign, make a donation or get involved: