Fifty two participants including 10 Digicel Cup referees, six ENBRL referees, 10 Digicel Cup coaches and trainers and 16 national development officers will undergo a two day accreditation course in rugby league in Kokopo on Saturday.
The course run under the Team Kumul program will be conducted by three Australian accredited trainers with assistance from Kumul head coach Mal Meninga who arrived in the country Wednesday.
Through funding from PNG LNG, PNG Power, Air Niugini and NGCB, the course is expected to upgrade the knowledge and skills of the Papua New Guineans who attend.
Recently appointed PNGRFL National competitions manager Arnold Krewanty and National development manager Toksy Nema will also attend.
Krewanty said the course was targeted at those involved in the Digicel Cup for now and will later be extended to affiliated leagues throughout the country.
He said the 14 development officers who have already been notified individually will also attend the course so that they are equipped as best as possible with the latest information in relation to the game.
PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka and CEO Brad Tassell have said in separate statements that the focus has been on the SP PNG Hunters in recent times but now that program was on a solid foundation, attention will strategically be shifted on to the other six programs.
The six programs are 6 to 12 years (PNGRFL in partnership with Australian NRL/AusAID; 13 to 18 years (Schoolboys); 19 to A Grade; Digicel Cup; PNG Hunters; Kumuls/International Fixtures.
The course comes at an ideal time to get all the officials ready and switched on for the Digicel Cup kick-off, which is scheduled for next month.
PORT MORESBY, (POST COURIER)
