Student making most of chance as a linesman

**Kaugere Junior High School student Jehlove Oeka in action as a touch judge at Moresby South Stadium. – Pictures supplied**

By JACK AMI
KAUGERE Junior High School student Jehlove Oeka has committed herself to be a touch judge on weekends in the Moresby South Rugby League competition this season.
The grade nine student said it was her passion, but education would remain as the 17-year-old’s top priority.
“This is my first time to be a touch judge in a Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League-affiliated competition,” the teenager said.
“I know there is future for female match officials with the ongoing development of rugby league across the country.
“But at the moment, we lack female referees and touch judges.
“So I’m looking at being part of the growing crop female match officials.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for me.”

**Jehlove Oeka is from Uritai village, Kerema, Gulf.**

Oeka learnt the basics of refereeing at the age of 12 during a National Rugby League PNG programme in Port Moresby.
“This was when I started to gain knowledge and an understanding of the rules of rugby league,” she said.
Under-18 player Oeka said she had been encouraged by senior teacher and mentor Arnold Gende to join the National Capital District Schools Rugby League competition.
She said she had been selected for trials and had earned selection into the Southern squad, but was unable to continue any further due to the passing of her father.
“My late dad, John Oeka, played in the Port Moresby Rugby Football League competition when I was growing up at Sabama,” Oeka said.
“I was encouraged by Rose Kumbonko to officiate in the Moresby South Rugby League competition, so I took up the challenge.
“Rose took me to Moresby South Stadium where I met league refereeing coordinator Koivi Vincent.
“Koivi assigned me as a touch judge in an A-grade match.
“I was really nervous with a lot of players approaching me.
“But the good thing was they respected me as a new female match official.” Oeka thanked Vincent, Kumbonko and fellow match officials for supporting her development as a rookie.

**Jehlove Oeka’s late dad, John, was a former Port Moresby Rugby Football League player with Air Niugini.**

Her dad, from Uritai village, Kerema, Gulf, was a former rugby league player with Air Niugini in the early 1980s.
“I was seven when my dad passed away,” Oeka said.
“So unfortunately, I knew little about him. My mum, Hilda, only told me stories about him.”

**Kaugere Junior High School student Jehlove Oeka in action as a touch judge at Moresby South Stadium.**

The youngster said she grew up under the care of her mum and two older brothers.
In March last year, Oeka suffered another setback when her mum passed away.
As the last-born child, she has encountered many challenges in life following the passing of her parents. “I thank my mum for taking care of me,” Oeka said.

**Grade Nine student Jehlove Oeka in action as a player.**

“There are four of us in our family – two girls and two boys – but none of my brothers followed in the footsteps of our father.
“Like many PNG youngsters, I’m passionate about rugby league.
“That passion has driven me to continue improving as a player and match official despite my young age.
“It’s still too early to discuss my chances of being part of the PNG Orchids (national women’s rugby league team).
“I’m only focused on taking it one day at a time.”