Olam hails Tepend, coaches for instilling character

PAPUA New Guinea international Justin Olam has hailed the Digicel Cup for helping him develop a strong work ethic which has seen him become a top centre in Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL).
The Melbourne Storm centre thanked former coach Stanley Tepend for developing him while he was playing for Lae Tigers in 2014 and 2015.
“I learnt a lot of things while I was under Tepend at the Tigers,” the-27-year-old told a PNG Rugby Football League workshop from Melbourne last month.
“One of the things that Tepend and other Digicel Cup coaches have instilled in players is a strong work ethic at training and on the field.
“Those are things which you can’t take for granted.
“It has been the foundation of my career and it has helped me come a long way.
“I am really thankful for that and I still think the local coaches are doing a good job and they must keep it up.
“It has helped me in my transition from one level to another, from the Digicel Cup to the SP Hunters and to the NRL.
“I have taken that with me to the highest level.”
Olam said Storm coach Craig Bellamy had built the club around a strong work ethic and that it was fitting for him being part of the four-time premiership winners.
“For a club like the Storm, they look for people who are willing to work and train hard,” he said.
“Bellamy is a person who values hard work and effort.
“He always says ‘hard work beats talent’, which makes him the kind of coach he is.
“He is the best coach in the NRL right now. So I think Digicel Cup coaches have done a great job and they should maintain that.”