The Impact Team is returning to Broken Hill for the second time in six months to run free clinics for children and teens, with former Socceroos international Gerry Gomez running a soccer clinic this Saturday at O’Neill Park and professional boxer, Solomon Haumono holding a boxing clinic.
After a glittering career that saw him play for some of the biggest sides in a different generation of Australian soccer, including Sydney City, Marconi, APIA-Leichardt and Paramatta, It was at Marconi that Gerry Gomez had his biggest moments, winning the 1988 and 1989 National Soccer League (NSL) Grand Finals.
He also represented the Australian men’s national soccer team twice in the 1980s, playing against English club giant Tottenham Hotspur and legendary Brazilian side Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama in the 1985 world series competition.
Former Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, professional boxer and NRL player Solomon Haumono will be running a boxing clinic.
The former Australian Heavyweight Champion is running a junior clinic from 9am for children aged 7-12, and a senior clinic will follow at 9.30am at Impact Gym on the same day.
Mr Haumono, who played as a prop and second-rower in the National Rugby League (NRL) and represented Tonga internationally, began his professional rugby career with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 1998. After three seasons, he moved to the Parramatta Eels in 2001 and later joined the New Zealand Warriors in 2003.
In 2007, Haumono transitioned to professional boxing, establishing himself as a heavyweight contender with a powerful punch and aggressive style. With 24 victories in 28 bouts, including 21 knockouts, Haumono’s career highlights included wins over former world champion Samuel Peter and fellow Australian heavyweight Hunter Sam. After a brief return to rugby league with the Canterbury Bulldogs in the New South Wales Cup in 2014, Haumono retired from professional sports in 2015.
Of course, what brings these elite athletes all together is their faith, which they will be discussing. Impact founder Mark Horan told us, “If you can help someone, you change their life, they often change someone else’s life. So, the guys will be sharing a bit about their faith.”
Following their clinics on the Saturday at O’Neill Park and the Impact Gym respectively, Head to the Impact Centre at 48 Oxide Street on Sunday to hear both Mr Gomez and Mr Haumono talk.
