Thanks to volunteers of PNG’s No.1 sport

HelLO to all our rugby league families and friends in Papua New Guinea and overseas. Welcome to the 27th edition of Coach’s Corner in your favourite newspaper — The National.
It has been a busy week here in the capital of New Ireland, Kavieng.
New Ireland Rugby League has three associations (Kavieng, Namatanai and Lihir). It’s the biggest in the New Guinea Islands Confederate.
This week has been a hive of activities at Utu High School — the venue for the New Ireland schools rugby league tournament.
Almost eight schools in the Under-14, U16, U18 and U20 boys and U18 girls divisions from the three leagues as well nearby Bougainville and interested affiliated clubs are participating.
The aim is to not only showcase the best talent in each division but also to promote integral human development.
The theme is to learn skills, and play with wisdom, knowledge and strength.
I have been visiting the schools in their camps each night and talking to them about attitude, values towards training/studying, dedication, determination and sacrifices in rugby league but most importantly at home and school.
On Tuesday night, I met with 65 teachers. I was overwhelmed. The time they set aside to support our game and in particular the students must be commended.
The three leagues run by the New Ireland Rugby League is successful because of the many hundreds of volunteers.
Teachers, parents, brothers and sisters, family members and you name it, they all support voluntarily.
They wash jerseys, cook food, mark the lines, cut the grass, provide transport and so on.
This also goes out to the many across PNG who volunteer in anyway to the game. I thank you all.
To New Ireland All Schools Rugby League chairman Rhondie Badcork, executives and tournament sponsors, you must all be congratulated for a successful tournament.
Yesterday afternoon, I paid my respects to former Kumuls players Kungas Kuveu, Aquila Emil and James Yip.
I will be travelling back to Port Moresby today before travelling with captain Moses Meninga to Brisbane for the Queensland Awards Night on Friday. This will be my last to attend as SP Hunters coach.
On Sunday, I will attend the Intrust Super Cup grand final between Wynnum Manly Seagulls and Burleigh Bears.
A showdown between Koiari man Edene Gebbie in Red and Green up against ‘white Kumul’ Luke Page in maroon. Play well for your respective teams as support back home will be divided.
I will have a chat with both of them after the game.
Also, well done to Rhadley Brawa and Edwin Ipape for winning the Brisbane Rugby League A-Grade premiership with Wynnum Manly. I will catch up with them on Sunday.
The NRL preliminary finals is on this weekend. Justin Olam has matured to this level. Just keep playing well for the Storm.
The Oil Search PNG Orchids and LNG Kumuls teams for the inaugural Rugby League World Cup Nines in Sydney from Oct 18-19 will be announced early next week. More on this event in next week’s article.
Until then, play hard, play safe and play by the rules in whatever sport you are taking part in. To those that are spectators and supporters, remember no troubles.
There in no room for violence in any sport and against anybody — at the venue or outside after the games.

Cheers,
Mikz