Participants from the High Performance Sport PNG Coach Study Tour Program returned to the country yesterday.
The team of 32 were part of a one-week coach development course held in the Gold Coast at the Runaway Bay Super Sports Centre, Australia.
The participants unanimously agreed that the course had given them a new lease on their coaching aspirations.
Participant and PNG Touch Coach, Martin Joffey, said the program was a revelation.
“We only concentrate on things like techniques and tactics and that was it.
“But other points to consider included personal development and Talent ID aspects were left out.
“We didn’t think that was important at all,” said Joffey.
The team visited the Queensland Academy of Sport on Tuesday followed by the Bond University High Performance Training Centre on Thursday.
The programs were aimed at giving insights into another level of coaching apart from the traditional coaching skills already acquired.
This included talks from a number of experts from the Queensland Academy of Sport, Bond University, the Gold Coast Titans, Jillaroos, Triathlon, Athletics and the Gold Coast Suns.
HPS PNG Media Officer, Peter Sevara Junior, acknowledged the support of staff of the Runaway Bay Super Sports Centre, the QAS, the Bond University HPTC, the PNG Government and the PNG Sports Foundation.
“Put together the success of the program was a collaborative effort from all stakeholders, including the PNG Government through its sporting arm, the Papua New Guinea Sport Foundation and the High Performance Sport Centres in Queensland.
“The partnership between both organisations puts into perspective PNG’s preparation for the 2018 Commonwealth Games as we invest in our local coaches,” said Sevara.