Rugby league coaches undergo NRL certified accreditation course

Rugby league coaches from all local leagues affiliated to the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) participated in a coaching accreditation course.

The coaching accreditation course is the first stage of a three phase program to achieve a PNGRFL coaching certificate accreditation to the NRL.

Thirty one coaches from the Southern and New Guinea Islands confederates took part in the first clinic from March 6-8 in Port Moresby.

Twenty six coaches from the Highlands and Northern Confederates participated in the second clinic from March 10-12 in Goroka.

Among the participants were 13 former players from the Kumuls, SP Hunters and Digicel Cup, and six women club coaches.

The program is a collaboration between the PNGRFL and Australian NRL facilitated by former Kumul and Australian NRL development officer David Westley.

Westley led the coaches through the basics of the game including skill drills then progressed to the next stage leading to real game situations.

Westley said it was all about going back to the basics of the game and teaching the fundamentals and trying to do as much as possible for the coaches within the three days.

The second phase of the program will be held in May and the third phase will be carried out in September where all 57 coaches will be assessed and examined for a coaching certificate.

PNGRFL development manager Toksy Nema said the end result will see a definite change and rise in the standard of the game in PNG.

Author: 
Quintina Naime