WHP schools rugby league to hold knockouts

By ELIAS LARI
WESTERN Highlands will hold knockout matches for its schools rugby league competition in Mt Hagen on Sunday, according to an official.
The Prima Smallgoods-backed competition has attracted 12 teams from selected primary and secondary schools in the province.
Company national sales and marketing manager Kola Geri said it was the first time the province had established such a competition.
He said the competition kicked off its season at Tigi Memorial Secondary School on March 13.
“This competition is to develop young people to be disciplined through rugby league,” Geri said.
He said it was important to help the younger generation as they were the future of Papua New Guinea.
“Sports promote discipline, so Prima Smallgoods is proud to sponsor this competition to help young people, especially students,” Geri said.
“We want to see many students taking part in this competition.”
Competition chairman James Meninga said the knockouts would separate the best from the rest.
Mininga said there were four divisions — Under-14 boys, U16 boys, U18 boys and U18 girls — in the national schools rugby league system.
He said teams must perform to keep their title hopes alive with the winners proceeding to the April 24 finals.
Mininga said schools rugby league was crucial to the development of students.
“Prima Smallgoods is committed to working with youths to promote sports and discipline,” he said.
“In our maiden year, we are just starting with 12 selected schools in the province.
“Prima Smallgoods has taken a crucial step in reviving the schools competition in the province.
“While visiting schools to distribute training gear like rugby league balls, I met boards of management, teachers, students and parents.
“And I briefed them about the concept of the competition.
“The message relayed to them was to play rugby league and give priority to their studies as the competition is not an academy programme.”