Rugby initiative kicks off with training session

THE Get Into Rugby (GIR) programme for schools in Hiri West, Central, kicked off with a training session at Papa Junior High School on Saturday.
The eight-week programme is sponsored by national gas company NiuPower Limited, which brought together selected teachers from schools in Papa, Lealea, Kido, Boera and Porebada villages for the day-long training session.
NiuPower manager, external affairs, Wellington Bellawa — who launched the programme at Porebada Primary School the previous week — presented tag rugby kits to schools from the other four villages.
Bellawa told the participants that GIR was part of NiuPower’s community investment programme which was aimed at partnering impact communities to deliver projects in education and health as well as initiatives for women, churches and sports.
PNG Rugby Union programme manager Sailosi Druma, who conducted the training, said the GIR programme would not only teach rugby skills, but also emphasise the five values of rugby — discipline, respect, integrity, passion and solidarity.
He said student participation would enable them to build their physical strength and mental capacity in an enjoyable and entertaining game.
During the training session, Druma and his five trainers taught different aspects of tag rugby, which included passing, rucking, scrumming and line-outs. The teachers also did online exams.