Schools comp called off for a lack of fields

By MELTON PAIS
THE National Capital District Schools Rugby League competition has ended because of a lack of venues to run games, says coordinator Joseph Dongari.
Dongari, a teacher who coordinates the schools competition for Under-14s, U16s and U18s boys divisions and an open girls division at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium Oval 2, Konedobu, said they had to call off the competition without having finals matches.
“One of the issues relating to the closure of the schools competition in NCD early is that of playing fields,” Dongari said.
“We started the schools league in the City with 40 schools and had an interest of more than 3000 students.
“The schools were divided into three zones and started playing at the beginning of the second term in April at Gerehu Primary School oval for North West schools.
He said the schools in Port Moresby North East used Unagi field and Moresby South used Kaugere Oval.
“These venues have their own senior competitions but we only use the venues when these fields are free,” Dongari said.
Regardless of the venue issue, Dongari said most of the schools that fielded teams were primary schools.
He said many schools had not paid the K300 affiliation fee to the PNGRFL with only 12 schools having done so and being able to play their games at a central location at Konedobu in the third term since July.
“Our draws were not consistent because they were affected as well by Motu Koita rugby league competition that was also using the same field.
“That’s the main reason we had to end our schools competition.”
Dongari who is committed to junior rugby league, said all stakeholders needed to cooperate and ensure venues were secured for the school teams to play.