A number of changes have been announced in the Oil Search PNG Orchids team.
PNG Rugby Football League chairman, Sandis Tsaka, yesterday revealed the appointment of a chairperson of the newly-established PNG Orchids Executive Management Committee (OEMC), as well as a new head coach.
Experienced journalist and public relations executive, Ruth Waram, is the new chairperson of the PNG Orchids Executive Management Committee, while the new head coach of the women’s national team is former PNG Kumul David Westley.
PNGRFL chairman, Tsaka, said it is only appropriate and fitting that Waram, who has been with Oil Search for 16 years as its communications manager, will lead the committee to continue the development of women’s rugby league in PNG.
“She is a passionate rugby league fan. She has worked with the PNGRFL over the last 18 months in various rugby league programs, including the delivery of rugby league world cup in PNG,” Tsaka said in yesterday’s (Aug 22) press conference.
Tsaka said Waram’s appointment on August 18th will not only recognise equal gender participation in the administration of the game, but should inspire women across the country to take part.
Meantime, Tsaka stated that new head coach Westley has the right credentials to lead the Oil Search PNG Orchids to greater heights.
“He’s not new to rugby league in PNG. He’s a proud Papua New Guinean who’s played rugby league at the NRL level. He’s represented the country on numerous occasions,” he stated.
“David has played the game at the highest level and his experience in coaching – since his retirement – at the junior level in the NRL programs in Australia is impressive.”
(From left: PNGRFL CEO, Reatau Rau, Chairman Sandis Tsaka, chairperson of the PNG Orchids Executive Management Committee, Ruth Waram, and new Oil Search PNG Orchids head coach, David Westley)