The High Performance Sport Papua New Guinea yesterday reviewed their 2016-2017 programs as a way forward to develop and change the landscape of sport in the PNG.
“While programs and services provided by High Performance Sport Papua New Guinea will remain unchanged, it will be the approach that will be enhanced going forward.”
This was made clear by the High Performance Director Aaron Alsop when presenting the updates aligning the programs for 2016-2017.
“The programs and services won’t change a lot in terms of what we are doing next year, but it will just mean that the amount or the level of services the athletes and coaches get access to depend on what tier structure they fit in,” Alsop said.
Generally, the tiered program is a system for defining different levels of services and support for various sports teams and athletes.
“So obviously, tier 1 sports being our absolute elite athlete that we have, right down through our tier three program,” Alsop said.
He stressed that another program also gaining momentum going into 2017 is the Talent Pathway program, which aims to develop athletes through development scholarships.
The opportunity of what High Performance is looking to do, as well with coaching scholarships, will mean that some of these programs may have been delivered before informally but haven’t been really structured.
Other programs facilitated by HP were the tertiary schools sports days, which saw up to 10 colleges and institutions both in Port Moresby and Lae participate in games of volleyball, touch, futsal, mixed netball and basketball.
Alsop said the developments in the HP programs are set to enhance the participation of the country in international events, including the various Oceania championships in the region, the Youth Commonwealth Games in Bahamas, the Asian Indoor Games, the Universiade (World University games) in Chinese Taipei, the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the Youth Olympics.