Academy launches rugby, soccer programmes

ISLAND Sports Academy has launched their inaugural rugby union and soccer programmes on Sunday with the aim of empowering future champions.
Founder and former Pukpuks Under-20 squad member Vakai Lavett told The National that the programmes aim to develop pathway for future rugby union and soccer stars in the country.
“There is a big gap in-between these two sporting codes when it comes to selections,” he said.
“There is no proper pathway for selection, no proper grooming, and no proper development for both sport.
“Selection is just done straight after competitions and straight into representative duties for players, which is not right.
“We need to introduce development pathways so that every player is groomed at each stage of the sport development.
“Programmes like this are everywhere in New Zeeland and Australia and that is why we see them becoming champions in these sports because they already have a development pathway.”
Lavett said the inclusion of such development pathway programmes by relevant authorities in both sports would help in developing best players to represent the code locally and internationally.
He said the academy was formed to encourage relevant sports authorities to develop pathways for every sport in the country and prepare them to become champions in whatever sport they played.
“So that’s the whole idea why we have this programme launched.
“We want to teach them the basics before they go further than that. At this stage, it will be easier for us to groom them up.
“If such programmes like this be introduce in all sporting codes I think we should be already performing next level.
“I am only doing it for rugby union and soccer and if someone can do it for other sports as well, I think that would be great.
“We are starting it off here in Port Moresby and then will go to Lae and to East New Britain.”
The programme is set to kick-off this Sunday at the Sir John Guise Stadium.