Aussie gov’t supports school rugby league with A$4 million

 By MALUM NALU

AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Julia Gillard and National Rugby League CEO David Smith last Friday launched the  A$4 million (K8.8m) schools programme which leverages Papua New Guinea’s fanatical support of rugby league to develop educational opportunities for students.

The programme was launched at the University of Papua New Guinea in front of a large crowd of school students, UPNG students and staff, and others.

The Rugby League in Schools Pilot Programme will improve the quality of education for girls and boys in PNG through rugby league-related activities by:

l Supporting up to 500 teachers to deliver in-class and on-field activities to up to 50,000 students, including social responsibility sessions;

l Providing up to 100 resource kits and 500 teachers guides to 80 schools, including rugby league-themed readers to improve reading and literacy; and

l Delivering improved school-based rugby league activities in PNG.

The funding has been provided to rugby league through the Australian government’s Pacific Sports Partnership Programme coordinated through the Australian Sports Commission and AusAID.

“The PNG school-based rugby league programme is part of the Australian government’s specific sports partnership,” Gillard said.

“This is a partnership we’re very proud of.”

“Rugby league in Papua New Guinea is something that we’re all passionate about.

“We want to use that passion to get kids participating in sports, and not just sports, but to get them better participating in schools.

“It’s about giving your teachers the training and support they need to give children the best possible sports experience.

“We’re going to keep expanding for the future.”