At one stage in his young life, it appeared as if PNG Hekari FC goalkeeper Dave Tomare was headed down the wrong path, until he fell in love with football and the beautiful game that helped change his trajectory.
Now he represents Papua New Guinea’s first professional football club in the OFC Pro League, and his national team on the international stage.
“Sometimes I remember how I started,” Tomare says.
“I was involved in a lot of things, but when I started playing football, football changed my life from bad to good.”
Tomare grew up around sport, but mainly around rugby league, the national game of Papua New Guinea. He wasn’t familiar with football.
It was at the age of 11 years old in 2008 when he first started playing – a relatively late bloomer to the sport given the youthfulness with which other professional football players usually first get their feet on a ball.
Having grown up in Morobe, it wasn’t until he moved to join his family in Bougainville that he “really started playing football.”
“I had a team in Bougainville,” says Tomare. “I had a coach who always supported us. We would watch matches together and he was always there for us.”
He also recalls the support of his father when he first started playing football, who helped encourage him to pursue a career in the sport.
“He was always calling and checking on me. Sometimes I made mistakes, but he would always encourage me and tell me what I needed to do better.”
“Because of him, I’ve been able to succeed in my football career.”
Tomare’s determination earnt him a contract with Papua New Guinea’s most successful football club Hekari United – with whom he has played a part in three OFC Men’s Champions League campaigns.
The most recent of those campaigns in 2025 saw Tomare captain Hekari United to the final for the first time since the club famously won the competition and qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup™ in 2010.
He also made his debut for the Papua New Guinea national team in 2023, and has since gone on to amass six caps, including two during their recent FIFA World Cup 26™ qualifying campaign.
So when it was announced that Papua New Guinea would have their first professional football club in the form of PNG Hekari FC in the OFC Pro League, Tomare understandably jumped at the opportunity.
“When PNG Hekari FC called me to join the team, I felt so proud,” says Tomare. “I’m happy to be part of the first OFC Pro League.”
Not only was he selected for the club’s first professional squad, but he was also elected captain by then-coach Marcos Gusmaõ prior to the start of the season.
“It’s a dream to represent PNG. But dreams require hard work – you must work hard for what you want.”
Tomare has featured in 12 of PNG Hekari FC’s 17 OFC Pro League fixtures and captained them in five – despite a difficult campaign which saw them finish bottom of both the regular season standings and the Challengers Group.
Nevertheless, he has been part of a history-making period for Papua New Guinea football, and is eager to continue to represent his nation.
“I’m proud to represent all my people. I represent my family, especially my daughter. Playing in the OFC Pro League has been one of the biggest achievements of my life.”
Little did young Tomare know about the life football would give him when he first started playing in 2008 – setting him on the path of becoming one of his country’s pioneering professional players.
“Football has given me a lot,” he says. “It has changed everything for me.”
World Football Giving Day
This story has been published as part of OFC’s World Football Giving Day campaign – showcasing the stories of OFC Pro League players who’s lives have been positively impacted by football.
The Oceania Football Confederation is joining World Football Giving Day on May 26, a global movement bringing together the football community around solidarity, generosity, and giving back.
Created by Common Goal, World Football Giving Day is a shared global moment where players, clubs, organisations, fans, brands and communities come together under the message that “Football Shows Its Heart.”
To support, head to www.worldfootballgivingday.org and donate to any of the organisations in any of the 90+ countries. You can also post using the WFGD hashtag #WeAreIn or use the heart gesture as a symbol of solidarity and connection.