Schoolboy programme in all New Guinea Islands

 BY FRANKIY KAPIN

ALMOST 40,000 children aged 13-17 years will be part of the New Guinea Islands Schoolboys Rugby League Juniors development programme this year.

NGI schoolboys’ regional coordinator Alois Tobata yesterday said the Autonomous Region of Bougainville piloted the scheme last year and this year 40 schools would be included in the programme launched last week by Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko in Buka.  

Confirmed schools are New Ireland: 60, West New Britain 80, Manus 30 and East New Britain 120 schools, with the Pomio district joining.

Tobata said schools had been briefed to include teams in Under-13, 15 and 17.

He said a coaching and refereeing clinic was running throughout the five NGI provinces in preparation for the kick off of the schoolboys’ competition when students resumed classes for term two. 

New Ireland coordinator Gabriel Sigi rolled-out the two-day clinic there on Tuesday while it starts in Kokopo today coordinated by Normolye Eremas and George Taurong. 

Tobata said the clinic had been boosted with the inclusion of the eight Agmark Academy representatives helping. 

He said this promised to be a fruitful year for schoolboys’ rugby in the region. 

He released contact details of coordinators in the five provinces: Bougainville – John Kidoro (7132 9088), New Ireland – Gabriel Sigi (7270 7407), West New Britain – Francis Ben (7283 1246), Manus – Chris Ndromoi (7036 0116), East  New Britain – Meli Tamlik (7393 8014), NGI regional coordinator – Alois Tobata (7156 5419).