AFLPNG keen to help improve code

THIS year marks a new era for Aussies rules in Papua New Guinea as the AFLPNG and AFLNCD meet this week to discuss various issues affecting the code and how best they can manage the running of the sport, especially at the senior level.
Some of the issues raised by the AFLNCD chairman Veari Maha and AFL PNG representatives Walter Yagomina and AFL development manager for Asia Pacific region Andrew Cadzow were conducting courses for referees and umpires.
Maha said at a meeting this week that one of the areas needed to be seriously addressed was the competition at the senior level.
AFLPNG has agreed that players at the senior level competition will be selected to undergo training in umpiring and refereeing. The players selected should be part of the PNG Mosquitoes side at one time or another.
Maha and his deputy Matthew Pula have also indicated that clubs in the AFLNCD competition needed some funding from the national body to buy jumpers and other essentials to participate in the local competition.
However, it will only be through counterpart funding, which will mean the club have to raise some funds and the AFLPNG will meet the balance to buy their jumpers and other sporting gear.
This year’s competition will see West, University Tigers, Koboni, Dockers, Defence, Kokofa, Moresby and Ports Power.
The first pre-season  will be held at the University and Murray Barracks fields this weekend.