Rabaul AFL schools competition kicks off

THE Rabaul AFL schools competition was launched at Edmund Rice Vuvu Field on Saturday.
The competition is part of AFLPNG Development’s Niukick programme in East New Britain.
Bala local level government president George Wavaula launched the competition with a ball-up between the captains of Volavolo Primary School and St Leo’s Primary School in the first U13 boys match.
According to an AFLPNG Development statement, the schools performed well in the first round of competition.
“They played to their best abilities using the four basic skills of Aussie rules — hand pass, bouncing, marking and kicking,” the statement said.
The schools taking part in the competition are Pilapila, Volavolo, Malaguna, St Leo’s and Tavui.
Each school has four teams – U13 boys, U14 girls, U15 boys and U16 girls.
“Big thanks to the special guests from Rabaul and Bala LLG — chief executive Peter Lapim, education coordinator Caspar Ruga, sports officer Tony Namur and Wavaula,” the statement said.
“Also not forgetting the students, teachers and parents who attended the launching.”
Lapim said he was happy to see the sport being played in Rabaul again.
“I woke up and was happy that I’d be returning to the very same field that I played Aussie rules on 40 years ago when I was at Vuvu Secondary School,” he said.
“I commend the AFLPNG staff and the schools for getting behind the concept, as it is an exciting game to play.”
AFLPNG East New Britain development officer Kayly Kelson said: “I am so happy to see school teams in their AFL jerseys and showing teamwork.”