| Sports |
Rules celebrated in style by
youngsters in Port Moresby
PARENTS and school children have
celebrated the completion of an Australian Rules Football
training scheme which was designed to teach youngsters more
about the game and encourage them to keep fit and healthy.
The Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Chris Moraitis, joined
the parents and students at Ela Murray International School in
Port Moresby last Saturday to mark the end of the eight-week
programme.
Moraitis – himself a big fan of Aussie Rules – presented
trophies to the students who had been taking part in training
scheme which was inspired by the Auskick program in Australia -
a national football coaching initiative for children run by
volunteers.
Auskick co-ordinator Randolph Albrecht said the program started
three years ago when one of the parents organised some Aussie
Rules sessions at the school.
Albrecht said: “In those days we were happy to get 10 youngsters
running around. This year, with the assistance of parents Peter
McElvogue and Mike O’Connell and AFLPNG, we often had between 40
and 50 boys and girls at the training sessions.
“During the game last Saturday, the kids outpaced and outplayed
the parents. Some great skills were on display and plenty of
promise shown. The kids were also very impressed when the
Australian High Commissioner ran onto the field to play with
them.”
Moraitis said: “It is good to see that Aussie Rules is becoming
increasingly popular in PNG. A shared passion for the game is
another link between our two countries – something that will
further strengthen the already strong relationship between
Australia and PNG.”
Moraitis added: “Playing at the school brought back fond
memories of my youth in Victoria when I spent hours playing
Aussie Rules with my mates. It’s a great game.”
The Australian Government has been supporting the growth of
Aussie Rules in PNG. Earlier this year, the Australian High
Commissioner presented hundreds of Aussie Rules footballs to
AFLPNG officials under the Australian Sports Outreach Programme
(ASOP) – a scheme which offers grants to sports organisations in
the Pacific.
Albrecht thanked NCS and Nambawan Trophies for sponsoring the
presentation day. Other schools or groups interested in running
an Auskick programme should contact AFLPNG operations manager,
Peter Cates, on 325 4943.
 
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