Hunters coach Church visits Highlands

SP PNG Hunters coach Matthew Church in only his second trip outside of Port Moresby spent three exciting days in Enga and Southern Highlands as part of his Christmas holidays during the break before the team’s pre-season camp.
Church’s first venture outside of Port Moresby was a three-day visit to Kokopo and Rabaul in the East New Britain last week.
His Highlands leg included a round-trip from Mt Hagen Western Highlands through to Wabag, Enga, overnight at Malyam Hotel.
An early morning drive the next day to Sirunki, Laiagam and Kandep in Enga and on to Mendi in the Southern Highlands.
After a brief stop-over at Kiburu Lodge in Mendi, he travelled through Imbonggu, Walum Junction, Ialibu and back to Mt Hagen where he overnighted and returned to Port Moresby in time for the New Year.
Since Church’s appointment as head coach of the SP PNG Hunters in October 2019, the Queenslander had never been outside of Port Moresby.
The cancellation of the 2020 Intrust Super Cup season and the pandemic were also factors contributing to this.
PNGRFL and Hunters management thanked him for choosing to spend his holidays visiting parts of the country before the Hunters reassemble next week to prepare to relocate to Australia at the end of January for the 2021 ISC season.
“We hope that his brief journeys will inspire him to appreciate what the Hunters represent and more importantly, what the team means to the people of PNG,” a PNGRFL statement said.
“Thank you Coach Matt and we hope you enjoyed the warm hospitality of our diverse yet proud people and of course the beautiful views and sceneries of our rugged country.”