Ray aims to win trust of Gurias fans

By MICHAEL PHILIP
NEW head coach Francis Ray says he is eager to prove his critics wrong as he looks to steer Rabaul Gurias to their first title in seven years.
The former Mt Hagen Eagle was responding to criticism by some Gurias fans who had expressed their disagreement over his appointment for the upcoming Digicel Cup season.
The fans were referring to a 2016 incident in which then Eagles player, Ray, had been banned following violence after the Gurias’ 19-12 win over Mt Hagen in the elimination finals in Port Moresby.
However, Ray said: “Let me remind fans and everyone that criticism is good.
“It can help put you on the right track to achieve your goals.
“I am used to criticism since kicking off my coaching career in 2018 with Waghi Tumbe, so this is nothing new to me.
“As far as I know, I’ve never done anything wrong during my playing days up till now.
“I will let them criticise me, but my aim is to prove them wrong.”
New Guinea Islands Produce Agmark chief operating officer and franchise boss Steven Nightingale told The National that the Gurias would not overturn the appointment. “Look at Australia’s National Rugby League, they recruit from all over the country and world,” he said.
“Sponsors expect results and premierships.
“We are actually slowly building that up with the goal of pulling away from the main competition and running our own New Guinea Islands competition.
“But we need the sport to bounce back and be managed properly in the province to build numbers.”
Nightingale said he had discussed Ray’s appointment with Kumuls coach and fellow former Gurias mentor Michael Marum.
Marum, in turn, said that Ray was the right person for the job.
“I have spoken to him (Ray) about the incident and we will give him an opportunity to ask fans for forgiveness,” the former SP Hunters coach said.
“Things happened on the field and he played with a lot of aggression during his playing days, but the way he is as a coach is totally different.”
Nightingale said the Gurias management were backing Ray to produce results in his tenure.
Meanwhile, Ray arrived in East New Britain on Thursday ahead of pre-season training this week.