A lifetime opportunity was given to forty-three of the Nation’s schoolboy rugby league youth to take part in a tour to Australia to play games against Australian junior Rugby League teams.
This was made possible last week Thursday (21/06/12) by the Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill and the NGCB’s Community Benefit Fund Board.
The Prime Minister has presented a cheque for K200, 000 to PNG NRL BID CEO – Brad Tassell to fund the tour.
Also traveling are selected PNG coaches and officials to assist in their development.
The squads depart on Monday June 25th (today) & Tuesday June 26th and it is all thanks to the PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and the generosity and foresight of the NGCB’s Community Benefit Fund Board.
O’Neill said the PNG NRL BID has done a fantastic job in developing our rugby league youth and that he is committed to supporting the schoolboys program.
He said it is not only about developing good players but also future leaders of our country and linking that with the importance of education shows the impact rugby league can have on our nation and its youth.
“Education is vital to our nation and using rugby league through the Bids National School boys program we can bring about social change in PNG through our youth, said O’Neill.
He said the opportunity to compete overseas is a great pathway for these young rugby league players, adding that his is exactly the type of program we as a nation should be supporting.
BID CEO Brad Tassell thanked the PNG Prime Minister and the NGCB Community Benefit Fund.
Mr Tassell also commented on the change in attitude of the development squad members.
The Brisbane Broncos players and coaches will play a big part in the tour with visits to the week-long camp in Brisbane to provide coaching tips to the tour coaches and assist in the training of the development squads.
TEAM LINE-UPS
U16 SQUAD
Lucas GEDISA
Tony Gui WEMIN
Jeff Malai GIEGERE
Wemin Mockley BANI
Elijah TAU
Newman WAIKILIN
Mathias Tasi KAWAGE
Napolean ILOFA
Jehuda SIPA
Joseph NEGIO
Lavax KETAUWO
Simon Kresil PENAKI
Michael KAVIE
Clifford Paul WANOKO
Wesley Yala HONDO
Robert MANASSEH
Ereman Elias KEN
Bill PAUL
Kenneth Adrian Drilieu SANDERY
Sibona Seri HEGAME
Coach: Dennis MIALL
Team Manager: Arnold KREWANTY
Tour Manager: Shane MORRIS
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U18 SQUAD
Heagi IKOSI
Konie BERNARD
John LUANA
Jamieson JOHN
Jeremy PALIBUTU
Eliakim LUKARA
Patrick INAPERO
Ferah HOMATE
Nogo ORE
Ben WEMIN
Paul Andalu DICKSON
Steven DORIGA
Pales ANDAIN
Gahuna SILAS
Maxwell DORIGA
Mafus Kito KALAS
Eddie MOTORO
Alsana KAULO
Dale Henao Noel Allan MATAPERE
Emmanuel Livingstone TAMANABAE
Samuel KUIT
Kapomanda TAYLOR
Noel JOEL
Coach: Peter DANGA
Team Manager: Ben KAUPA
Tour Manager: Jason TASSELL
…………………………………………………
TOUR MATCHES:
Wednesday 27th June vs. Wynumm Manly (Division 3) – U16 & U18
Friday 29th June vs. PNG Brisbane Based Rep Team – U16 & U18
Sunday 1st July vs. Redcliffe (Premier League division) – U16 & U18
For further information please contact PNG NRL BID CEO Brad Tassell.
