Challenges that lie ahead of us

Hello to all our rugby league fans and families throughout Papua New Guinea and the world. Welcome to the 32nd edition of Coach’s Corner in your favorite newspaper — The National.
Today ends my tenure as head coach of SP Hunters. It has certainly been a journey since 2013.
I didn’t have a clue of the challenges that lay before me. The guidance and support of Brad Tassell, the confidence by chairman Sandis Tsaka and the board, and overwhelming motivation and backing from former SP Brewery boss Stan Joyce and staff — past and present — was inspiring.
They gave me that drive to wake up everyday knowing I had responsibilities to carry out.
Since that first game and first win on March 5, 2014, against Redcliffe Dolphins in Brisbane to the last win and game on Sept 1 this year against South Logan Magpies in Brisbane has seen 144 games played with 86 wins, a success rate of nearly 60 per cent.
And the most memorable will be the minor and major premiership wins in 2017.
A replacement is currently being considered by the PNGRFL board and we should know in the next few days.
All the PNG LNG Kumuls players have arrived in camp in Port Moresby.
The inclusion of West Sepik man Alex Johnston has really been a boost to the camp.
Rhyse Martin’s leadership on and off the field has been inspiring. He will lead the side for the Test against Fiji due to the unavailability of incumbent David Mead. Everyone is healthy and getting on well with each other.
The Kumuls will have a meet-and-greet session with fans at Vision City at Waigani from 11am to 12pm tomorrow. Come along and get a selfie with your favourite player, wish them well and get autographs.
In the afternoon, they will have a combined training session with the PNG Pukpuks at NFS.
We travel to New Zealand on Monday to face Fiji in the second leg of the Pool B Oceania Cup Pacific Test in Christchurch next Saturday.
I will send you the starting line-up for this game from New Zealand next Thursday.
The Oil Search PNG Orchids are assembling in Goroka to prepare for the first of a two-test series against the England women at the National Sports Institute next Saturday.
I encourage everyone living in and around Goroka to turn up at the NSI and support our team as well as women’s rugby league in the country. We are one of only four countries alongside Australia, New Zealand and England to be recognised in rugby league.
Eliminations for the confederate club championship started last weekend. The premier clubs will be determined by Nov 10.
The four confederate club champions play for the national club championship in Lae from Nov 15-17.
We extend our congratulations to the PNG Barramundis for qualifying for the T20 World Cup to be played in Australia next year.
The challenge ahead is to show the world we are among the best in this shorter version of the game.
Keep playing well for your clubs and associations, and stay healthy.
Until I come your way from New Zealand next week, play, hard, play safe and play by the rules in whatever sport you are competing in.
If you are a supporter or just a spectator, please remember that there is no room for violence in any game and community.

Cheers, Mikz