Aussie duo takes up Bid positions

By HENRY MORABANG
THE PNG National Rugby League Bid yesterday announced the appointments of two key positions with the Bid.
Sports Minister Philemon Embel, who is also the PNG NRL Bid chairman, announced the appointments of Brad Tassell as the new chief executive officer and Shane Morris as development officer.
Both officers are no strangers to the game having served on various positions with rugby league in Australia.
Tassell, from the North Queensland rugby league in Cairns, had a feel of NRL experience with Sydney Roosters and North Queensland Cowboys, including his brothers, Jason and Kris, who had played with Roosters, Canberra, Canterbury, Cowboys, and the English Super League.
Embel said Tassell would bring a rich knowledge of national and regional sporting organisations with more than 20 years management experience with North Queensland Cowboys, Cairns Taipans (NBL) and reigning state league premiers, the Northern Pride.
He described Tassell’s appointment as another step forward in the goal of fielding a team in the Australian National Rugby League competition.
“Brad was highly recommended to us and the board was impressed after meeting with him. He is young, confident and has real energy about him that we feel is essential in a chief executive officer. Most importantly, he wants to be in Port Moresby and his experience in particular areas will be invaluable to use as we push for including in the NRL competition in future,” Embel said.
Tassell  visited PNG on a number of occasions, including the first PNG Origin game in 2007.
He said the passion of the people of PNG towards rugby league was incredible and outside of Australia, PNG was rugby league heartland.
Morris is from what is widely regarded as the best junior development programme in Australia, the Brisbane Broncos, having spent four years as the Broncos development officer and junior rugby football league manager.
Morris will be working with PNG Rugby Football League to formulate a national development strategy, including programmes to educate league officials, coaches, trainers and referees in PNG.
“Shane will be employed fulltime by the Bid and I want to stress, we will be working closely with the PNGRFL to implement a development structure across the country. We (Bid) are committed to ensuring rugby league has a strong development program from players to coaches and officials and will work with PNGRFL to assist them in implementing this programmes,” Tassell said.