Australian envoy presents kits for rugby programme to schools

By JELILAH KUM
AUSTRALIAN high commissioner Jon Philp presented Get into Rugby (GIR) kits to Papua New Guinea Rugby Union (PNGRU) at Bava Park in Port Moresby yesterday.
“The kits will be crucial in rolling out our schools and junior programmes throughout the country between now and next year,” PNGRU administrator Ian Liveras said.
“GIR promotes values like respect, Integrity, solidarity, discipline and passion which are integral to human development.
“GIR offers an opportunity for us to teach children and teenagers these core values.”
GIR is a development programme that introduces rugby union skills and strategies in a safe and non-contact playing environment.
Philp said: “It’s a non-contact initiative so it’s good for kids as they slowly work towards playing full-contact rugby union.”
He said many children across the Pacific were playing rugby union through the initiative.
“30 per cent of them are girls and there’s a record number of female coaches participating as well,” Philp said.
“So we think GIR is terrific for boys and great for girls.
“It has really helped to demonstrate respect for each other and that’s what we really like to see in sports.” Due to Covid-19, the only areas running the initiative active are Rigo coast and East Sepik.
St Joseph’s International Catholic College students received the kits on behalf of PNGRU and all the schools in the country.
The kits contained bags, balls, tag belts, cones, bibs, whistles and pumps, shirts and festival gear.