Kurakums gain from trip

Sports

The PNG Kurakums (women’s team) enjoyed their Queensland AFL State Championship in Brisbane last week.
The Kurakums left PNG shores on last Wednesday for the tournament and were put on draws to challenge Wide Bay on Thursday, Townsville on Friday and the final game against Mackay on Saturday.
The Kurakums returned Sunday.
AFLPNG player welfare manager William Yogomin said for the Kurukums to compete in a high class tournament was a challenge but rewarding experience despite losing the all three games.
He said the opportunity to play against the best female footballers in Queensland had given the PNG side experience and knowledge to take back to their local communities and continue to grow female football.
“Being the first time to play together, the girls took a bit to get going but after some early nerves they really started to take the game on,” Yogomin said.
“Hitting the lead in the third quarter, we went into the break up by a small margin and had the wind behind us for the last quarter.
A frantic last term saw both teams wrestling for the lead with Wide Bay, hitting the front late before snatching the win 4.7 (31) to 3.7 (25).
“They made many new friends and we look forward to seeing their continual development.”