Team manager sponsors new jerseys for Vabukori women’s team

By JACK AMI
A COMMUNITY leader has donated a set of new jerseys to Vabukori Mosquitoes’ women’s team as they continue their campaign in the Moresby South Rugby League competition.
Team manager Lynette Ori said she committed herself to buying the apparel as the women’s team had been using the same jerseys as their men’s teams.
“As an educated woman, I have taken ownership of the interests of the women’s team as they continue their passion for rugby league,” the Gulf and Bougainville native said.
“This game is new to most of the players and there is a sense of excitement among the team.
“We encourage gender equality and discourage barriers that may hinder women as we have equal rights.”
Ori said social issues continued to affect women and girls, so their involvement in male-dominated rugby league would help change the perspective of men towards them. “My team have been learning the basics of rugby league over the past three months,” she said.
“We’ve taught them how to pass and play the ball, pack scrums, and other basics of the sport.”
Ori said their men’s teams were committed to helping train their women’s side.
“We still have a long way to go to build our experience and knowledge of the game,” Ori said this week.
Ori said losses would help her side learn from their mistakes and improve for next season.
The team are dominated by Uritai villagers, from Kerema, Gulf, while a few players are from Motu-Koitabu.