Women participate in clinic

**PNG Orchid Heather Ario (in black shirt) with fellow participants.**

**PNG Rugby Football League high performance manager Michael Marum issuing pointers in the presence of senior referee Aaron Henry. – PNGRFLpics**

TWELVE women were among 43 participants who attended a Hiri West Rugby League coaching clinic which was conducted by Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League high performance manager Michael Marum.
Held at Papa village, the three-day clinic — which began on Wednesday — covered warm-up and stretching, agility, strength and conditioning, ball drills, ruck plays, and attacking and defensive techniques.
“We want them to learn the basic skills of the game so they can improve on their natural talents,” PNG Kumuls coach Marum said.

**Port Moresby Viper Frank Rarua (left) and SP Hunters trainer Moses Guise taking part in the clinic at Papa village in Hiri West, Central, last week.**

He said the participation of women was encouraging.
“I am happy to see their interest in taking part in the different methods of training and drills alongside their male counterparts,” Marum said.
Oil Search PNG Orchid Heather Ario, from Papa, was one of the participants.
“You have made history already with Heather in the women’s national team,” Marum told the participants.
Marum said Orchids captain and St George Illawarra Dragon Elsie Albert took part in the last two days of the clinic.

**SP Hunters trainer Solomon Kuluniasi performing a demonstration on Moni Plus Port Moresby Viper Iru Dikana.**

“Her presence lifted their spirits, especially the women,” he said.
Marum told the participants that apart from developing their skills, “you can also be involved as a referee”.
“Aaron Henry is a senior referee and he is here with us for those who see a future in refereeing,” he said.
“This is another area of our game that we would like to develop.”
Marum was assisted by SP Hunters trainers Solomon Kuluniasi and Moses Guise, and Moni Plus Port Moresby Vipers pair Iru Dikana and Frank Rarua.
Hiri West Rugby League president Hubert Warupi thanked ExxonMobil PNG Limited for organising the clinic.
“Thank you for your continued support, and for getting Marum and his team to conduct the clinic,” he said.
Warupi also thanked Marum for his continued support in promoting the development of young men and women throughout rural PNG.

“Marum has the best rugby league mind in PNG and we are privileged to have him here,” he told the participants.
“Learn as much as possible and ask him anything you want to know.”
The participants received certificates at the end of the clinic.
Hiri West Rugby League covers Roku, Porebada, Boera, Papa and Lealea.