Coach Church backs Aiton to bring out best in Hunters

By PATRICIA KEAMO
COACH Matthew Church has backed his new assistant coach Paul Aiton to help him bring out the best in the SP Hunters for the upcoming Queensland Intrust Super Cup (ISC) season.
He said former Papua New Guinea Kumuls skipper Aiton’s experience in the National Rugby League and English Super League would be invaluable to the 2017 champions.
“Paul brings a wealth of experience with him, so he will complement my coaching style really well,” Church said of the 35-year-old.
“One of the key areas in the appointment process was based on character, what kind of person is coming to the table?
“He has to be willing to learn.
“A number of coaches I’ve come across in PNG, they’re not so open to learning when they’re being told to do something.
“The ISC is more advanced than the Digicel Cup.
“We need someone (who is) open to learning, growing and getting better and understanding.”
Church said their aim was to draw from experienced players like Ase Boas and Wartovo Puara Jr.
“That’s probably something that Paul really brings to the table as an assistant coach,” he said.
“He has lived in a number of countries and had to adjust to a different life and different languages, so he will be able to support our players in this transition.”
PNG Rugby Football League acting chief executive Stanley Hondina said about 14 applications were received, but Aiton was picked after shortlisting the candidates and interviewing the top-three.
“It’s good to have a former captain and former player of the game taking the job,” he said.
“We look forward to working with him and Church in preparing the Hunters for the upcoming season.”
Hondina said there were some local coach who applied for the role but Aiton met all the requirements.
“We have processes and systems in place and meeting the requirement of level two coaching is mandatory,” he said.
“There are certain things that come into play, like relocation and other exercises.
“There’s a couple of PNG coaches who have shown interest and they’ll be monitored and watched over time.”