PNGRFU set out plans to progress in next five years

PNG Rugby Football Union minds came together on Saturday for a strategic planning workshop, which saw the review of the union’s plans to go forward, and its ultimate aims for the next five years.
The workshop, hosted by the rugby office saw PNGRFU executives and officials, union representatives and committee members go through the plans, to firm up on its true goals, brainstorm and gauge ideas from the different parties on the future and growth of rugby union.
After releasing its calendar for 2010, Saturday’s workshop was more of a working progress plan for the next five years.
Discussions firmed up on the union’s main aims for the period, establishing and strengthening various elements that will contribute to realising these objectives.
Going forward, the workshop established its ultimate aims with;
*the establishment of and functioning of a High Performance Unit,
*improving PNG’s International Rugby Board ranking from the current 49 spot and; 
*ultimately qualifying for the Rugby 2015 World Cup.
In strengthening the course of these objectives, and making them a reality, the workshop also saw a SWOT analysis and the setting up of the respective committees that would work towards achieving the outcomes of each objective.
In achieving these aims, factors contributing to their success were also high on priority of governance, administration and finance, operations and development.
Amongst the firm discussions, the committee directed attention to the immediate development of a PNG Rugby Union policy handbook to assist in the running of the unions, the expansion of the junior development programme to Port Moresby, the strengthening of communication links with the provincial unions, establishment of national development plans and HPU for the growth of the human resource and facilities, priority insurance cover and improved financial and management reporting.
The workshop ended on a positive note with discussions having highlighted important areas of the game, and setting about ways in addressing them.
Present at the workshop were PNGRFU president Richard Sapias, Robert Nilkare (vice-president), Meli Muga (secretary), senior development officer Robin Tarere, rugby manager Billy Rapilla, Oro union representative Winter Monagi, and planning committee members.
East New Britain rugby union representative Jonathan Manoa and New Ireland’s Bau Waulas sent their apologies for not attending but gave their assurance that they would support the  current executive.
The outcome of these initial discussions will now go into second phase of work and deliberation, before the final draft.