Developing pathways vital to bid: Official

DEVELOPING academy pathways for both rugby union and rugby league will help improve the country’s standing in the international level, Port Moresby NRL Bid manager Tony Waliya says.
Waliya said rugby union should learn from rugby league’s NRL Bid junior competition and introduce a similar pathway system.
“PNG NRL sees it as a vital tool to groom and shape young kids to be future rugby champions,” Waliya says.
“We believe at this stage they will develop interest within themselves and make improvements as they go by playing the game.
“Their (juniors) interest will help us keep on running the programme and as a result year-in-year-out, we will see results where new champs are produced and selected into big competitions or representative duties.”
Waliya told The National that the introduction of the NRL Bid school boys competition few years ago has helped PNGRFL identify talented players who were now representing the country, wearing the Hunters and Kumuls jumper or at the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup level.
He said the Papua New Guinea Rugby Union (PNGRU) should introduce an academy development pathway to improve their standings at the international level.
“For league, our world standing is okay, we’re in the top six and I’m pretty sure that was made possible because league has its own development pathways,” Waliya said.
“(Rugby) Union can also have the same results if they have their own development pathways as well.
“For someone to be a champ or superstar in the game, he/she needs grooming and shaping at the lowest level. You don’t become a champ overnight. It takes commitment and dedication.”
Waliya said the Pom NRL Bid junior competition was into its second week of preseason trials and they would be finalising their Under-15, U17, U19 boys and U18 girls squad this week in preparation for the zone trials next month in Goroka.