School rugby festival a continued success

THE St Joseph’s International College’s annual rugby union festival was a success with grades seven to 12 students competing in their respective divisions at Bava Park in Port Moresby on Friday.
The festival saw the grades seven and eight classes competing in the third division and grades nine and 10 were grouped in the second division while the grades 11 and 12 classes competed in the first division.
All the divisions had matches for girls and boys.
Tournament coordinator John Agovai told The National that the concept had continued to grow from strength to strength since its inception in 2012.
“It’s another festival for our school with a big participation,” he said.
“We didn’t host the annual event in 2020 and 2021 due to the Coronavirus. But we are excited to host it again in 2022.
“This concept was founded by Papua New Guinea Pukpuks legend, the late Douglas Guise, and teachers at St Joseph’s.
“We are happy that this event has become a regular event for the school now.”
Agovai said he wanted to see the festival developed into an inter-school initiative.
“The positive impact of this programme is that it teaches children about mental toughness, discipline and respect,” he said.
“These things don’t apply only in sports, but the students can practise them in general.
“It’s an effective platform and we are hoping PNG Rugby Union could work with schools in the National Capital District and other centres, so the initiative can be upgraded to an inter-school festival.
“We believe that students can benefit from it.”
Agovai said there were a number students in the past who had been scouted by the union straight from the festival.