League refs attend Qld carnival

PAPUA New Guinea Rugby Football League referees James Kundi and Mekenzie Dokta departed for Australia on Sunday to officiate in the 2019 Confraternity Shield Carnival at The Waves Sports Complex in Bundaberg, Queensland.
PNGRFL CEO Reatau Rau said the two Digicel Cup referees were selected for the annual carnival as part of capacity-building and a development pathway for referees.
“This is the result of the continued partnership between PNGRFL and the Australian NRL,” Rau said.
Kundi and Dokta are the second batch of referees to attend the annual carnival.
“Last year, Max Topani and Hanua Rupa attended,” Rau said. “Both have since been appointed as Queensland Rugby League match officials and now officiate in Intrust Super Cup matches.”
He said the Confraternity Shield was an elite rugby league carnival which independent schools across Queensland were invited to attend.
“The week-long carnival is recognised as a breeding ground for the next generation of NRL stars,” Rau said.
Both men said the programme was a good development pathway for referees.
For Kundi, the trip abroad will be his first.
He said he was looking forward to the experience and wanted to make the most out of it.
“It’s a new experience and a new chapter in refereeing in PNG,” Kundi said.
Dokta said: “It’s a great pathway for the referees. This is not just for us now, but for others who will come along the way as well to take up the whistle.”
PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka congratulated both men and urged them to do their best and learn as much as they could.
NRL PNG general manager Cathy Neap said NRL was happy to assist in setting development pathways for referees and working closely with PNGRFL to achieve this.
“The NRL is proud to work alongside the PNGRFL to help identify and work toward building capacity. Neap said.
Kundi and Dokta return next Sunday.