Touch looking to 2015

TOUCH Football Papua New Guinea (TFPNG) has in place its strategic plan geared to 2015 and beyond.
TFPNG president Peter Bernard made this known in a statement during the week, saying the aim was to develop the federation’s best male and female players for the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby.
Bernard said this plan was run in line with the Grassroots to Gold programme.
“The executives are trying to prioritise the development of our best talent for the 2015 Games and we need them to get on board with our strategic plan,” Bernard said.
He said the plan required the players selected to play regular tournaments and to keep fit and deveop their skills to international standards.
He said elite group were selected during the national regional tournament in Lae in July and the lead-up games would be used to assess the national squad members.
Bernard said over the next three years the players’ progress would be monitored with the aim of having a medal-winning team ready for the  Pacific Games.
The president said TFPNG had selected two groups of players and both would be expected to play in all major tournaments, national and region tournaments.
“There are a lot of potential talents in Madang, Popondetta and Kimbe knocking on the door to be included in the training squad if changes occur.
He said the national body would also consider including overseas-based players in the elite squad but first preference would be on local players.
Meanwhile, the 2013 national touch football tournament will be in Goroka from July 26-28.
This will be for the open men’s, women’s and junior divisions.
The masters and senior men and women’s divisions will be played in June in Madang.
To be eligible for the championships all associations should pay their affiliation fee of K1,000 to PNGTF.
Centres should contact Bernard on 422 2892 or 72912457 for more information.