I’m going to do things differently

Hello there to everyone in Papua New Guinea and overseas. Thank you for welcoming me into your beautiful country and thanks for reading my first coach’s column in your favourite rugby league newspaper — The National.
I would like to thank PNG Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka, chief executive Reatau Rau, PNGRFL board, SP Hunters management and our sponsors for their confidence and support in choosing me for this important role.
I pay tribute to former coach Michael Marum for what he has built with the Hunters. He leaves an outstanding legacy and big shoes to fill.
With the recent historic wins by the Oil Search Orchids and the PNG LNG Kumuls, it’s a great time to be involved in rugby league.
My first two weeks in the role have been exciting and challenging but it’s an opportunity of a lifetime.
I am passionate about what we can do with the Hunters next year.
One of the most asked questions I’ve had by people in the game and on the streets is ‘what will you do differently?’. The easiest way to answer that question is “everything”.
I have a different background, come from a different culture and feel like I was appointed to this role for what I can bring to the Hunters through my experience in Queensland Rugby League development, Intrust Super Cup and National Rugby League programmes.
Right now, for me, it’s about recognising the strengths of our players and working out ways to utilise these in our favour for when we start playing.
We are working hard with our skills development and giving the players a better understanding of why I am coaching them in a certain way.
The biggest challenge as an overseas coach is knowing if your message is being understood. The players are so respectful, they are hesitant to ask for further understanding, so I have made it clear to them that if they didn’t understand, it’s my problem and not theirs.
I have to find a better way to get my message across and thankfully after that discussion, the players are now asking a lot more questions.
The coaching staff and senior players are all helping in this area also, so they are making my job easier until I can pick up some more of the language.
The first two weeks also have been about working each other out and giving the players an idea of how I can see us performing next year.
All of our drills and skills are designed to have a tactical approach towards our game plan.
The boys are working hard. They are keen to learn and grow as players, so I thank them for being open to my coaching.
I will give more feedback on individuals in the coming weeks.
For now, I just wanted to say ‘thank you’ and that I’m excited to learn more about PNG, it’s people, communities and cultures.

Cheers,
Matt