Schoolboys league stages finals this weekend

By KEITH PUARIA
BARAKAU Schoolboys Rugby League will stage their finals this Saturday at Barakau village, a 30 minutes drive from of Port Moresby.
Under the Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Bids (PNGNRL Bid) Schoolboys Programme, Barakau was the first village in the country for the programme.
“We started last year and it proved a success with 14 of our players making the Southern Region team to the regional titles in Lae.”
“From there, three of our players made the national teams that toured Queensland last month,” coordinator Maraga Gou said.
The finals will kickoff with Kwalaha Blues versus Tadiva Reds in the Under Nines, and lead to Kwalaha Blues against Ehu Greens in the Under 11, Kidukidu Yellow and Tadiva Reds in the Under 13 and Kideukidu Yellows and Tadiva Reds in the Under 15 finals.
Orange and Blacks will play the Under 17 final which is the final match of the day.
The PNGNRL Bid team will be there to kick off the finals, do the presentations and officiate as well.
The team includes Bid CEO Brad Tassell, development officer Shane Morris and referee, Schoolboys chairman Ben Kaupa and PNGRFL Southern Region coordinator Ripa Kalamo.
“I thank the PNGNRL Bid, Brad and Shane, for giving our aspiring young players this opportunity, as well as supporters of the Bid, Dennis Mils of Nambawan Trophy Ltd besides others.”
“Through them, the game has been pushed to the villages. This programme will greatly help us identify young talents in the rural areas,” Gou said.

Port Moresby North-West Schoolboys Rugby League will also hold their finals on Sunday at the University of Papua New Guinea oval.
St Pauls Primary School will play Waigani Primary in the Under 11, Waigani Primary against Philip Aravure Primary in the Under 13, and Hohola Youth Development Centre will go up against Gerehu Secondary in the Under 17 final.
Teams to play the Under 15 final will be confirmed today.