by Skola Sengi – EM TV Sport, Port Moresby
PNG’s National Touch Federation is embarking on setting a strategic development plan in place after ending both the World Cup and Pacific Games campaign on a high note.
The federation has developed a governing framework, as its first goal, to manage and direct its member associations and players, of which, over the years, it has been running on an ad hoc basis.
Its second goal is to have member associations to work within the framework and develop the standard of competitions around the country and mould players from junior to elite levels of competition.
With the increase of amateur and elite athletes switching codes, the federation has also formulated a retainment strategy to hold on to the cream of its players.
For the growth of the sport, the federation has also created goal number four as partnerships.
Forging partnerships have become vital in securing support for funding and in preparing athletes for international tournamen’s in the coming years.
This year, the PNG National Federation has aligned their association with the International Touch Federation and touch Football Australia.
Touch Rugby had surpassed its expectations, with an overall ranking of third among 52 countries at the World Cup and fell short of securing 3 gold medals in the Pacific Games.
With the strategic plan to move forward, the PNG Touch Federation is confident that they will be the biggest threat to big guns Australia and New Zealand come the next World Cup in 2019.
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