Good habits define behaviours

Hello everyone!! Welcome to the 3rd edition of Churchie’s comments in your favourite rugby league newspaper – The National.
The actual rugby league games start this month with the pre-season trials. So my comments will be published weekly from now on.
We have been working hard in driving the message to the players about creating good habits. We understand that we need to set high standards both on the field and in the image we reflect to our
loyal sponsors and proud fans. Socially we have an obligation with our profile to promote a better image.
With this in mind, we had to farewell a player from our 2020 programme last week. I can’t reveal the name and actions that led to the standing down and subsequent removal of the player from our programme after an investigation.
However, I can reveal that the player admitted his fault and acknowledged he let himself and the team down. We as a team and an organisation took the stance that no individual is bigger than the team and that is the line in the sand at the moment.
The players took the step to say that not only do they support the decision but they don’t want the actions of one player to detract them from what they are trying to achieve.
There has also been a bit of buzz around Stargroth Amean’s presence at our training sessions. Stargroth remains contracted to Barrow Raiders and has chosen to remain in Papua New Guinea for personal and family reasons.
Barrow retain his registration for 2020 and has only been granted permission to train with us to keep fit and make sure his spirits remain high. He is not contracted to the SP Hunters. Some of his closest and long-term teammates are in the SP Hunters so from a wellbeing stand point, I thought it would be best for Star to train with his mates than alone, while he sorts out his next move. We encourage our players to fulfil their commitments and see overseas signings as a way to strengthen our national team.
We had the pleasure of having Darren Lockyer as guest speaker to our 2020 squad on Monday.
Darren’s profile speaks for itself but he had some really important messages for the boys.
He spoke about maximising their opportunities, stating that the average career span in NRL for players is three years. Even in a long career you have ups and downs and that you have to try and minimise the downward trend. Darren said this is done through attitude, accountability, a commitment to get better and working hard.
The last point he spoke about was the transition to life after football. Our players are lucky to have profiles in Papua New Guinea, and he encouraged them to engage with sponsors and fans and be someone of integrity.
This is an opportunity that others might not get so they always have to hold themselves to higher standards. Besides playing good football, being seen as a good person and of good character is where opportunities will present themselves to the players. These attributes also make you a good teammate.
The first point of Darren’s talk was centered on behaviour, to know what is right and what is wrong forms the basis for their decisions.
Decisions become behaviours, behaviours quickly become habits so make sure you have good habits.
This tied in well with my message during this pre-season, that players will act their way into the team and act their way out of the team…….. a point unfortunately proven by the actions of one player last week.

Until next week, let’s respect and be kind to each other.

Cheers;
Matt