Dabaris kick off trials

By JACK AMI
PAPUA New Guinea National Rugby League rookies Vitis Central Dabaris kicked off their selection trials at the Bava Park yesterday.
The trials, which will end on Friday, are aimed at giving rural players an opportunity to push for spots in the franchise.
Dabaris head coach Chris Enara is overseeing trials which have attracted players from Rigo, Aroma Coast, Goilala, Kairuku-Hiri and Motu-Koita.
“These are Southern Confederate-affiliated leagues, so they are all eligible to participate in the trials,” Enara said.
Enara said he had invited former Kumuls Kera Ngafkin, Chris Lome, Gairo Pepena to help select the best talent to make the 60-man train-on squad.
“We have brought in neutral selectors to select players on merit to train together for several weeks together before the squad is trimmed down to 40 players,” he said.
“We have a lot of hidden talent here that we need to identify and it will be good to see them represent the Central franchise.
“These 40 players will then play a Port Moresby Rugby League select side in January before the final Dabaris squad is selected for the Digicel Cup season.”
Dabaris board director and former Kumul Eddie Aila was also present at the trials.
Southern Confederate director Gwaibo Mairi said the trials were a great opportunity for players from the grassroots level to showcase their skills. He said the involvement of Ngafkin, Lome and Pepena would help the Dabaris identify the best players.
Mairi said the talent on show was impressive. “These trials are not about winning. They are to help select the best talent on merit.”
Mairi commended former Kumuls Tuksy Karu and Joshua Kouoru for attending the trials to motivate the players.