New club aims to make mark in nines competition

 A NEW entry into the Agmark Nines Rugby League tournament in East New Britain aims to finish the four-week competition on a high note.

That was the assurance of No.1 Lodge Raiders coach Mutz Kanaiat when the club was presented with a new set of uniforms last Friday.

The nines tournament is a feeder competition to the Agmark Gurias club where potential talents are identified for inclusion in the East New Britain team for provincial and national duties.

Thanking sponsors No.1 Lodge for the new jerseys, Kanaiat said the Raiders comprised village youths from Vunamurmur and Nangananga who could not make the Wanderers club.

“We, Raiders, are a sister club of Wanderers. Those who did not make the Wanderers team had been pooled together to form the Raiders,” Kunaiat said.

Kanaiat said while Wanderers had been in existence since the Agmark Nines fielded the 2008-2009 season, the Raiders were a new pick in a 24-team competition and “we’d like to leave an impression comes the first week of March”.

“Our big thank you and appreciated to No.1 Lodge and its managing director Sam Eremas for the assistance,” Kanaiat said.

“Our thank you also to the Wanderers club and management for helping us function as a unit in this tough competition.”

Raiders trainer Emmanuel Toide, who is also Gurias winger, said the newcomers comprised raw talents and skills.

“I am privileged to train such a host of players and I am finding them very accommodating.

“Although there are a few issues with discipline, especially being village kids, I am sure we will get over these and progress before the end of the competition,” Toide said.

“Our hopes are high and, with the backing of No.1 Lodge, we can still go a long way.”

The new outfits were bought from a Fijian-based company.