Duo join camp
The National, Tuesday November 5th, 2013
THE Kumuls World Cup contingent has included two Hull Kingston Rovers personnel.
Physiotherapist Ian Kelly and orthopaedist Andrew Edwards have been part of the Kumuls staff for the World Cup after Kumul great Stanley Gene recommended the pair to coach Adrian Lam.
That brings the number of staff members to 11, taking to 34 the number of people in the kumuls contingent.
Team general manager Matthew Natusch said the two had been brought in when they first arrived in Hull more than a week ago.
Only three staff are Papua New Guineans – assistant coach Michael Marum and trainers Nigel Hukula and Solomon Kulunasi. The rest of the staff members Australia-based.
“We’re lucky to have two people on board Team Kumuls for this World Cup campaign. They came recommended by Stanley Gene and they’ve helped immensely with our preparation,’ Natusch said.
Natusch said there was a need for qualified Papua New Guineans to file roles in Kumul teams but the country had little in the way of sports physiotherapists and medical officers who were committed to the rugby league and the Kumul programmes.
“It would be great to have more Papua New Guineans involved with the set up but getting qualified people is a problem,” Natusch said.
“Right now we only have three local guys that have roles in the coaching and support staff.
Michael Marum, who has been the understudy for a long time now, Nigel Hukula and Solomon Kulunasi are people who will be here for the long haul.”
Natusch said Marum had gained a lot from his time as Lam’s No.2 and was capable of taking the reins if needed.
“He’s coached a champion team (Gurias) for several years now and has been to three World Cups as a player and coach.
“Michael is one of the success stories.”
The Kumuls coaching and support staff: Adrian Lam (coach), Mal Meninga (high performance director), Michael Marum (assistant coach), Matthew Natusch (team general manager), Bob Cutmore (team manager), Brendan Lam (video analyst/IT), Neil Dunkley (head trainer), Nigel Hukula (trainer), Solomon Kulunasi (trainer), Ian Kelly (physiotherapist), Andrew Edwards (orthopaedist).