PNGRFL runs clinic for coaches, match officials

Sports
Stanley Hondina

PAPUA New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) ran a two-day clinic for its referees and Digicel Cup coaches at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby last week.
The theme of the clinic was ‘Raising Standards’ and saw referees from around the country, coaches from the twelve Digicel Cup franchises, Kumuls coach Michael Marum and PNGRFL chief executive Stanley Hondina in attendance.
Michael Marum, who is also PNGRFL national coaching director, spearheaded the coaching clinic.
Marum took Digicel Cup coaches through some technical aspects and latest changes in rugby league coaching.
“My presentation was basically on the technical part of the game and performance wise,” Marum said on Friday.
“I’m not too concern on the administrative part of franchises, for now the focus is more on what happens on the field.
“We try to impart the style of coaching from Intrust Super Cup and higher levels down to Digicel, that’s what raising standards is all about.”
For the referees, former intercity match official Guma Opi conducted a workshop with recent International Rugby League (IRL) recognised referees Paul Wani and Hanua Rupa.
It turned out that some of the referees were not familiar with latest rule changes.
PNGNRLC officer Saku Ank said that the referees’ workshop had helped them.
“Some of our referees lack understanding of some of the new rules and this workshop was helpful,” Ank said.
“We believe PNG has got some quality referees that can get international recognition like what Paul Wani and Hanua Rupa have done.
“They don’t rely on technology like in Australia and other overseas competitions but yet they still do a good job.
“But now with such programmes introduced by PNGRFL, it will really improve the standards.”
Stanley Hondina told the referees and coaches to practice what they learnt from the workshop with consistency to help grow the game.