National sevens team educate Lae girls about rugby

By LARRY ANDREW

THE national women’s sevens team (Palais) ended their two-day camp in Lae yesterday, with their final clinic staged at Amba Primary School, Butibum.
Four members of the Palais – Taiva Lavai (scrumhalf), Fatima Rama (winger), Gwen Pokana (winger) and Marie Biyama (centre) — held sessions of rugby education for young girls in Lae.
Lavai said the turnout by the female students was overwhelming over the two days.
“They have shown enthusiasm in learning rugby and we are happy about what we have started,” she said.
“As time goes by, I’m sure these camps will grow from the grassroots level and expand to other centres like what the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League is doing, going down to the grassroots level and the schools.
“We are thankful to International Container Terminal Services Incorporated South Pacific for coming up with this programme.
“It will help us set standards for our junior female players to aspire to become elite athletes.”
Lavai said they were looking forward conducting their next clinics, which will see the whole team taking part.
“My encouragement to young girls and women is that if you are serious about achieving something in life, go for it,” she said.
“But you have to balance it with education.”