Snax 9s tournament grows

By LARRY ANDREW
THE Lae Biscuit Snax Nines tournament has grown since it was launched four years ago and this year the format was changed to run a week-long competition, unlike in the past when it was only a three-day event.
Tournament coordinator Stanley Tepend said this year they wanted to make the tournament bigger.
“We had 24 teams taking part in the tournament that started on Dec 11. We had four pools of six different teams and then had elimination rounds,” Tepend said on Saturday after the grand final.
“The competition had been a success and thank you to Lae Biscuit Company for the sponsorship. We also are thankful to Prima Smallgoods for partnering LBC as sponsors.”
Tepend said one of the major aspects of the Snax 9s was to fill in the gaps that had been left by departing Lae Snax Tigers players. Some of the players have joined the PNG Hunters while some have been released.
“We use this tournament as our prime selection process and this is the only way we select our players. And we are lucky to have this event here in Lae to support our cause to Digicel Cup again,” Tepend said.
The franchise is looking at a squad of 35 which will later be trimmed down to 23 before the start of the season.
Tepend said the Snax 9s was the main selection process for the Tigers and they wanted to stick with and not recruit from outside.
Apart from that the franchise has its own academy system under which boys in years 11 and 12 are given the opportunity to play with their seniors.
“Going into the Digicel Cup every year we know it’s tough but I think this period is important to us. Players fitting into our system.”