Kiwis conduct training for locals

 By KYMLIE KARANI

THE PNG Netball Federation has accredited six people with the Oceania Country Awards and two regional bench officials following a four-day theory workshop and practical sessions.

The successful programme ended on a high note yesterday at the Shady Rest Hotel conference room.

The course was conducted by New Zealand Netball officials Belinda Clarkland and Pam Clayton.

The two qualified bench officials who attained certificates are Gewa Raula and Rawa Stoi.

The six others who were awarded Oceania Country Awards and are certified national trainers are Richandah Kassman, Annie Iamo, Elizabeth Arua, Evanelia Kini, Helen Lawrence and Margaret Opina.

PNG Netball president Julienne Leka-Maliaki said she was happy with the outcome.

“We are very pleased with the results. We are happy that we have finally launched our national umpire and bench officials accreditation framework,” she said.  

“These certified bench officials and trainers are now able to go around to other centres to roll-out our high level training programmes as one of the federation’s key goals of building technical officials throughout the country.” 

“The attendance has been very good for the past few days. We are pleased to know that there are so much skills among a good mix of old and young women who participated,” Clarkland said.

“We hope that they implement these things back in their associations to lift the standard of the code nationwide.” 

The programme included theory workshops and practical sessions with assessment sessions on Saturday, August 17.

PNG Netball will use this programme to identify trainers in umpiring and being bench officiating.