Tigers coach Tepend shares insights on preparation

LAE Tigers coach and three-time premiership winner Stanley Tepend has given an insight on his team’s training ahead of the new Digicel Cup season.
The Papua New Guinea Kumuls assistant coach made a presentation to other Digicel coaches on some technical parts of his training with the aim to improve standards in the inter-city competition.
“Short burst and power is always the focus of our training,” he said.
“During the pre-season, we always do three sessions a week.
“The first phase is to build strength.
“When we host games, we basically do more gym sessions in the week and probably two sessions of ball drills before the game.”
Tepend said prior to the Covid-19 interruptions, Tigers used to travel by road for games in the Highlands.
“Given our geographical location, most of our away games before Covid-19, was by road up to the Highlands.
“So due to long driving to and from, sometimes when we return from, for example Wabag, we only do one gym session and we do more recovery for the next game.
“So it’s less gym and more ball drills after a long travel.”
Tepend said the Tigers were using Sir Ignatius Kilaga Stadium for gym sessions.
However, he said due to the PNG Sports Foundation’s ban on facilities last year and this season due to Covid-19, his players were using a private gym.
“During gym sessions, I leave it to the trainers,” Tepend said.
“I trust the trainers to go through that and I only focus on the core part of our game.”
Other Digicel Cup mentors also made presentations and took note of the coaching techniques.