Boas to lead side, Alu to be deputy

HELLO everyone, welcome to the 4th edition of Churchie’s Comment for the year in your favourite rugby league newspaper — The National.
It’s the exciting time of the year now. Last night, our SP Hunters season was officially launched in front of our valued sponsors/partners, Government dignitaries, Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League board members and distinguished guests. This means that getting on the field and playing rugby league is just around the corner.
While impressed with most of the squad and their progression to date, we still are “work in progress” and will continue to be for some time. Over the preseason, it’s been encouraging to see players grow, learn and improve. I am thankful to the playing group for being open to my coaching.
Last night was an opportunity to introduce our 2020 squad but also to name our leadership. Two players stood out in this regard, not only to me but also the playing group and coaching staff.
I conducted a survey with the players around what success looks like to them, as an individual and as a team. We also asked the players and staff for identifying players in the group who have shown true leadership during our preseason. The players voted two players well ahead of the others.
After attacking the preseason with lots of energy and consistently being one of our hardest workers and a regular to showing leadership qualities, it’s my great pleasure to announce that Ila Alu has been named vice-captain of the Hunters 2020 team. Ila is a coach’s delight, is open to coaching, open to feedback and works hard on things he knows he wants to improve. While thankful to the group for the selection, he has basically picked himself with his actions and leadership. Another that picks himself in terms of leadership, which will come as little surprise to you, is Ase Boas whom I also have great pleasure to announced as the 2020 Hunters captain. Ase is a great asset as a first-year head coach. He has years of experience as the Hunters captain and seven tests for PNG. He has been a great resource for me in getting a better understanding of the playing group.
When the pair were announced to the playing group and staff, they acknowledge that they would continue to be themselves and do the actions that got them appointed to their roles. They have also made it clear that everyone should take on the mentality that they are also leaders. One of the things we emphasised all preseason was that if we were to accomplish anything, we had to do it as a group.
One of the greatest things you can do as a coach is educate them on how you want them to play. Teach this into the team, then get out of their way and let them achieve it. Once they get on the field, a coach is not the one on the field to make decisions. So other than a message here or there during the game and a halftime speech, the coach has little game-time influence. So I must have a transfer of ownership. It’s not my team it is our team.
The players know if the 2020 Hunters are going anywhere this year, they must have the group attitude that whatever we do, “we do together”.
This Sunday we attend a Church service at Hanuabada. This basically completes our preseason off-field activities.
Until next week, let’s respect and be kind to each other.

Cheers,
Matt