PNG Rugby Union highlights potential of East New Britain in code

PAPUA New Guinea Rugby Union (PNGRU) last week conducted a workshop with East New Britain Rugby Union (ENBRU) officials, highlighting a potential for the province to rival bigger centres in the country.
PNGRU national development manager Ian Liveras said ENBRU was on its way to identifying and promoting more talents following the success of its schools programme and competition.
“Up until 2014, ENBRU had a vibrant schools competition that was on a trajectory to rivalling Scrum’s (Supporters Club of Rugby Union in Morobe) schools programme.
“Players like William Tirang, Henry Kalua and a host of others emerged from the East New Britain schools programme to play rugby union and league at the highest levels domestically and internationally.
“The schoolgirls programme was also given equal prominence.
“In 2014, East New Britain’s sevens women’s team won silver in the PNG Games. They comprised high school students. “Club rugby in East New Britain was also on the ascendency. During this period, 12 clubs – with senior and junior grades – were participating in competitions in Rabaul and Kokopo.”
Liveras advised the attendees at the workshop that re-establishing rugby union in the province was a case of re-building an existing road that had been neglected over the last few years due to the political impasse.
“ENBRU has to re-establish the schools programme, re-establish the club competitions in Kokopo and Rabaul, and facilitate the establishment of a club competition in Gazelle and expansion into Pomio.”