Four nations rugby league challenge set

Tok Mix Dogs against Lealea tussle in the Masta Mark Easter Cup challenge in Port Moresby. The competition involves teams from NCD off-season leagues and Central province. The teams are playing for K25,000 prizemoney sponsored by Masta Mark principal Kelly Aiyok and is being held at Hohola and Kone Tigers fields. The competition Started on Tues last week and will end tomorrow. Picture by JOSEPH IVAHARIA.


THE draws for the 2010 Four Nations rugby league challenge has been announced. England will face co-hosts New Zealand at Wellington's Westpac Stadium in the opening match of the tournament while Papua New Guinea will play Australia at Parramatta Stadium, Australia.

The seven-match event in Australia and New Zealand starts on Oct 23, with the final in Brisbane on Nov 13.
Melbourne stages the Australia-England clash on Oct 31 and England play Papua New Guinea in Auckland.

That match takes place at a new-look 50,000-capacity Eden Park on Nov 6 and is part of a double-header as holders Australia play New Zealand. There are also games in Rotorua and Parramatta.

The inaugural tournament in 2009 culminated in Australia beating England 46-16 at Elland Road.
And Australia Rugby League chairman Colin Love said he was confident the 2010 edition would prove as popular, adding: "The first Four Nations series was an overwhelming success at every level.

"The excitement among English crowds and international television audiences again demonstrated the tremendous appetite that exists for international rugby league.

"The rivalry between Australia, New Zealand and England couldn't be more intense and PNG have proven time and again that they can mix it with anyone on the day.

"This is going to be a fabulous contest that will bring together the best players in the game over three incredible weeks of matches."

Organisers are hoping to set a new crowd record at Eden Park, which has been re-developed to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup, topping the 47,363 for the 1988 World Cup final.

"This double-header will be the biggest rugby league event in New Zealand since 1988 and could become the biggest of all time," said New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Jim Doyle.

"It will be a tremendous moment for the game to have rugby league's major powers all playing at the same ground on the same day.

"It's also a huge honour for our game that we'll actually be giving the new-look Eden Park one of its first major attractions."

2010 Four Nations schedule:
Oct 23: New Zealand v England, Westpac Stadium, Wellington.
Oct 24: Australia v Papua New Guinea, Parramatta Stadium.
Oct 30: New Zealand v Papua New Guinea, International Stadium, Rotorua.
Oct 31: Australia v England, Melbourne (venue tbc).
Nov 6: England v Papua New Guinea, Eden Park, Auckland.
Nov 6: New Zealand v Australia, Eden Park, Auckland.
Nov 13: Final, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.

PNG recruits to help Blues

PNG players (from left) Fredinand Musi, Ali Pinda, Henry Henry, Ogla Pena, Paul Philip, John Ikupu Junior, Emmanuel Tupia, Johnny Vogae, Freddy Peni (obscured) and Gagu Kaiyage will play for Coolangatta Picture by SCOTT FLETCHER.
 


By NICK SMART

THEY play for the Coolangatta Blues in the Townsville but it looks more like the Papua New Guinea Aussie rules national team.

Fresh off a wooden spoon last year, new Blues President Scott Reid, who is also the president of AFL-PNG, has secured the services of 10 players from PNG to boost the club.

John Vogae, Ogla Pena, Freddie Peni, Emmanuel Tupia, Junior John Ikupu, Ferdinand Musi, Ali Pinda, Paul Phillip, Gagu Kaiyage and Junior Henry will all play for the Blues this season.

AFL PNG, which has been funded by the AFL for almost 10 years, has had players in Queensland on scholarship as part of its Coca Cola Talent Program for several years.

Coolangatta is a partner club and more than happy to accommodate the players, who range from the age of 17 to 24, from PNG for 2010.

"They bring a lot of run and fitness and with their attitude they are great to have around because they enjoy their footy," said Reid.

Reid said the boys have already fit right in down at Len Peak Oval.

"One of the things we are a little bit conscious of is we are bringing so many in to Coolangatta and you can sometimes set up a bit of a divide if the PNG boys stick to themselves," he said.

"But Coolangatta has a lot of new players and they are mixing really well with the PNG boys."

"Good luck to the PNG lads, there's a very strong contingent now of PNG Aust Footballers in Australia ... and they aren't just making up the numbers. Nor are the international rookies/scholarships token gestures.

There are many very capable young players that lends hope that within perhaps just 10 years there could be a pretty competitive PNG national rep team including past, present and future AFL stars," said Michael C.

Madang Surfing Club receives surf boards

By JOE IVAHARIA

A SURFING club based in Madang recently received five surfing boards from a group of Japanese surfing tourists.

The Japanese tourists, numbering 10 with some of them professional surfers, were in the country trying out waves in the Madang province as guests of the PNG Tourism Authority.

The lucky recipient was little known Tuburia Surf Club, a new club established some 18 months ago by National and Supreme Court Judge, Justice Nicolas Kirriwom, who also is the club patron.

President of the Surfing Association of PNG (SAPNG), Andrew Abel (Front row seated above, second from left) in a press conference held last Saturday thanked the Japanese tourists for their kind donation, adding that the boards will be put to good use by members of the Tuburia Club.

The president said that this was one way of spreading and promoting the sport of surfing by distributing what little resources SAPNG could get hold off to the coastal provinces.

He said there would be more visits organised by SAPNG between Japan and PNG to foster cultural and sporting exchanges and give opportunities to young athletes to develop in the sport.

The tourists spent a week trying out the waves in the Ulingan Bay and were very impressed with the tranquility and hospitality of the local people.

Meanwhile, the SAPNG will be conducting a training program for surf judges in May this year and will target surf judges around the country and may have the presence of few from abroad as well.

On their departure from PNG, the tourists were given gifts in the form of 'a surfing warrior' as reminder of their visit to Madang and PNG.

Port Moresby launches super '6' cricket challenge

LEFT - CPNG general manager Bill Leane thanking Badili Hardware Ltd Resident Director Sri after at the launching of the Badili Hardware POMCA Super 6's in Port Moresby on Tues.
 
PORT Moresby Cricket clubs will now get the chance to boost their financial status with K2000 and win new cricket equipment for their clubs - thanks to Badili Hardware and Cricket PNG (CPNG).

CPNG have joined forces with Badili Hardware to stage a fast and furious super six cricket challenge.
The two day event which will be known as the Badili Hardware POMCA Super 6's will get to see who which club will be crowned the POMCA club champion.

The Badili Hardware POMCA Super 6's will be played over weekends from April 11 and 18 and April 25 and May 2.

At the officially launching on Tues, Badili Hardware Ltd Resident Director Sri said that they were very proud to be associated with CPNG and POMCA in supporting the two day cricket challenge.

CPNG general manager Bill Leane who was present to launch the Super 6's challenge together with Sri thanked Badili Hardware for their tremendous sponsorship and their continued support towards cricket.

To win each club must field a team in every grade or their points will be effected and chance to win the prize money and equipment will be reduced.

Clubs nominate a squad of 10 players only to play 6 a side, 8 overs per team, innings must be completed in 27 minutes.

All matches will be played on Colts (2), Rules (1) and Rules (2) with U/16, U/19 and A reserve grade teams playing on the first and second weekend (Sunday April 11 & 18), (U/16 & U/19 players are also eligible for B grade and A grade teams only).

And B Grade, Women and A Grade (Sunday April 25 & May 2) playing in the last two weekends.
Each event has a Badiili Hardware Super 6's trophy for winner and runner-up.

There is K2000 and a Kit of Cricket Equipment for the club who Wins over-all on points...
It's winner take all!

There are no individual awards because it is a club competition.

Equipment prize is: (6 sets of pads (3 men's and 3 juniors/women's ), 2 wkt keeping pads, 4 Bats, 8 pr batting  gloves, 2 wkt keeping  gloves, 12 practise balls)

Each competition:  5 points to Winner, 4 points to runner-up, 3 points to 3rd, 2 points to 4th and 1 point to each other participant.

The competition and teams will be:
AGrade: 1/United, 2/Coasters, 3/Taora, 4/STC, 5/Raukele, 6/Poreporena, 7/Kempa , 8/KCC
A Reserve: 1/Raukele, 2/Coasters, 3/KCC, 4/Poreporena, 5/STC, 6/Kempa, 7/United, 8/Taora
B Grade: 1/Poreporena, 2/Kempa, 3/Taora, 4/Raukele, 5/United, 6/KCC, 7/Coasters, 8/Curries
U/19: 1/STC, 2/United, 3/Poreporena, 4/Kempa, 5/KCC, 6/Coasters, 7/Raukele, 8/Taora
U/16: 1/Taora, 2/United, 3/KCC, 4/ Raukele, 5/STC, 6/Poreporena, 7/ Coasters, 8/Kempa
Womens:1/KCC, 2/Taora, 3/United, 4/Poreporena, 5/Coasters, 6/Kempa, 7/Raukele, 8/STC.

BSP sponsor Papua New Guinea school cricket

LEFT - Listen up kids! PNG national cricket players Tanti Heni and Timothy Mou giving out some helpful cricket tips to students of Wardstrip primary school.
 


Cricket PNG and Bank South Pacific announced this week cricket's biggest ever school focused cricket development program.

As part of a three-year commitment, the program is scheduled to teach cricket to more than 50,000 PNG school children during each year, starting 2010.

This week also BSP bowled in K750,000 for the school kriket program during its launching at the Wardstrip primary school in Port Moresby on Wed.

BSP School Kriket is a new nationwide initiative from Cricket PNG and the programs focus is on developing kids participation in cricket throughout primary and secondary schools in PNG.

The program will be delivered in schools by Cricket PNG Regional Managers and Cricket officers, Australian Government funded AYADs (Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development) in selected areas, CPNG part-time school cricket development officers, teachers and school volunteers. BSP branch staff will also be involved in schools, helping to deliver the program.

The program will run in a school over 12 weeks and it involves five distinct stages.

The sponsorship worth K250 000 annually will run for the next three years and is aimed at reaching PNG children throughout the country with the help of BSP branches nationwide.

The sponsorship will not just cover traditional cricket stronghold areas but reach out to many provinces in the Highlands, Momase, Southern and New Guinea Islands.

This year BSP School Kriket will cover more than 50 schools in NCD and 20 schools in 12 other provinces.

BSP chief executive officer Ian Clyne commended Cricket PNG for their professionalism and enthusiasm in terms of its new cricket development program.

"It is hoped that more young talents especially from the non-traditional cricket areas will soon be discovered and will lead to PNG becoming a regional powerhouse in cricket within the next five to 10 years," Clyne said.

"Not only is BSP's support significantly lucrative but it is the complete organisational commitment that makes this program special," confirmed CPNG General Manager, Bill Leane.

"The culture of BSP as an organisation is a perfect fit with cricket as it is all about supporting the community and here is a major example of that focus and culture at work and delivering real benefits to PNG's schools and children," Leane said.

"That cricket is excited to actually be able to deliver a meaningful national development program for boys and girls that does build self esteem, and promotes awareness of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

"As a non 'Gladitorial' sport cricket can give young athletes the opportunity to compete without the inherent issues of contact sports.        

"Cricket is FUN and safe."

Schools wanting more information on the program should contact Gayan Loku (National Development Manager) on 3233254 or 76614980 or by email to cricketpng@y7mail.com.

Mt Hagen softball hosts Easter Cup Challenge

Mt Hagen Softball Association will be staging its own Easter Cup challenge, thanks to a cool K10,000 sponsorship from the National Gaming Control Board (NGCB).

The naming rights will also continue through to the remaining of the season at the end of this month.

The association could not take part in this year's national softball championships in Kokopo because they started their season late and there was no diamonds to play their matches on which would give them enough time to select a strong team.

Funds sponsored by NGCB will be used for running the competition and also for prizes which will be given out during the Easter challenge with K3000 up for grabs.

"Our association has a lot of untapped young talent who did not get the chance to play in the last three national championships as well as our own season," said Organising Committee Chairman Sebastian Tirupia.

"But with this sponsor and the availability of playing field, all players and officials are delighted and our competition will be in for a tough 2010-2011 season," said Tirupia

Teams that will be taking part in the PNG Gaming Board Easter Cup Challenge will be NGI, Unicats, Brown Eagles, and Water Board in the men's division and NGI Unicats, Jets and NGI 2 in the women's division.
The matches will be played at the Holy Trinity Teachers College.

Tirupia thanked NGCB CEO Simon Sanagke for the sponsorship, saying the funds will go a long way in reviving the softball competition in Western Highlands province and developing young talented soft ballers as well.

Tirupia commended senior players in Warkuwo Maradi, Vince Tirupia, Simon Poipoi, Max Robert, George Tadap, Ian Noki, John Igal, Narra Kakat and technical officers Patonga Makis, Mika Rek and all teams taking part for their tireless efforts in continuing to push for the competition to played in the province.

"Special mention to Danny Wyatt and Basil Kalang for their efforts and securing the sponsor from NGCB and also thanks to the principal of Holy Trinity Teachers College for allowing softball to be played on the campus," said Tirupia.

PNG Under 15 soccer team gets assistance

By WENDY KATUSELE

THE Papua New Guinea Under 15 soccer women's team to the regional World Cup qualifiers in Auckland, New Zealand next month left on Thurs for a training camp in Gold Coast, Australia before heading to the land of the long white clouds.

While the team is not expecting results at the Oceania Football Confederation Under 17 world cup qualifier, it anticipates exposure and international experience before the Commonwealth Youth Games in Singapore in August.

The Under 15 team has been invited to participate at the inaugural event, which is set to witness the biggest turn out of youths from around the Commonwealth countries.

Telecommunication Company Telikom PNG joined loyal soccer followers with showering the girls with their promotional items that included caps, polo shirts, water bottles, bags and complimentary A$5 international calling cards, one of the new products launched early this year.

In a brief ceremony on Tues at Telikom Rumana, team leader public relations Martha Rupa on behalf of the telecommunication company congratulated the girls for making the team adding Telikom was proud to help soccer and its backing of the sport continues with National Soccer League and smaller associations within the Papua New Guinea Football Association.

"On behalf of the Telikom board and staff we wish you all the best in the OFC qualifier," Rupa said.
The Under 17 world cup qualifier will held from May 12-17 with PNG pitted against an improved Tonga on the opening day.

PNG takes on host New Zealand, which has with four players who are current members of the senior New Zealand team.

The final match will be against neighboring Solomon Islands on the May 16.
PNGFA's development officer, Taku Niebo in thanking Telikom, said this will be the first ever national junior women's team to participate in the qualifier.

Niebo said PNG has been the queens in the South Pacific for the last three years under its development program; some of these players will go onto the senior team.

Telikom PR team leader Martha Rupa handing over the promotional items from Telikom to PNGFA technical officer, Taku Niebo who received the items on behalf of the PNG U15 Soccer team as two players look on. Picture by JOE IVAHARIA