By Francisca Anania
An Early Childhood Rugby League Program started 2 years ago by 22 year old Stenza Tandoa is now taking the spotlight in Gerehu and some parts of the city.
The Early Childhood Rugby League (ECRL) Program has its main focus on working with children as young as 3 to 12 years of age; who start showing keen interest to rugby league.
Stenza explained why he chose to focus on children aged 12 and below.
“I have played in the league with teams such as Enga Mioks in the Digicel Cup, and Paga Panthers in PRL; and having gone through various challenges as a young athlete, I do not want any child pursuing a career in the league to go through what I went through; hence the reason behind starting the ECRL.”
A parent of two children taking part in the ECRL Sibili Silas shared the same sentiment with young Stenza on how the ECRL has helped his kids.
“When my two kids were just in the house, they used to be very naughty but after they joined Stenza’s program, they have become behaved.”
Despite the financial struggle to maintain the ECRL, young Stenza refused to quit on the children who have shown interest and skill and are already taking part in the program.
The two year old program is self-funded and has children from many parts of NCD taking part in it.
As Stenza’s ECRL program is beginning to attract children from other parts of NCD, he needs any support he can get to maintain its operation without having to quit.
He made an appeal to NCD Governor Powes Parkop, who is looking to incorporate Junior Sports in NCD schools’ curriculum next year, to also support the ECRL program.
Despite having her own goal for her son’s future, Elizabeth Tandoa is now convinced that her son is doing what he was meant to do, and she is all for supporting him.
Emphasizing her son’s appeal, she explained that the ECRL has children who are in school and also many who are not, so support by the NCD Governor is of significance.
