Sport: PNG rugby league open new high-performance facility

The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League has opened a new high performance centre at Gelegele, outside Kokopo in East New Britain Province to boost player development.

Former Hunters coach and current Kumuls coach Michael Marum, who was named as the facilities manager at the official opening earlier this month, said it would initially focus on elite athletes but would also help to develop younger players who showed potential.

"We want to make sure we strictly look at rugby league first and then other athletes after that," said Marum.

"Basically we will try to work with our athletes all around the country both boys and girls. There's a lot of talent around PNG but unless you go out there and see them, [then we] can put them through a bit of basic training so I'm just going to go out there and help the kids a lot."

Marum will be working alongside NGI administrator Solomon Darius in developing programs and plans.

The centre is their first project on the New Guinea Islands region which, if successful, they hope to expand to other regions around the country.

"Hopefully we get to go around to other parts of the country and do another three or four and target to do another one at the end of the year," he said.

"Basically to set up people who can run it and monitor all the athletes that come in and train and look at their progression over the next few years."

"I will pursue this to ensure all our players in PNG reach their potential at the highest level."

The opening had caused some excitement around locals and has already seen hundreds of people walk through its doors.

"So far in a week we're probably seeing over 100 athletes come in to use the facility," said Marum.

"We also invite interested people out there and the rest of the athletes out there that want to come and have a look around and do a bit of training."

PNGRFL director Graham Osborne added the centre would not only allow players of all ages and gender to come and learn new training skills and methods from Marum but would also be an avenue for coaches, referees, trainers and officials involved in the game to learn from him.

"Many things children learn while young stick with them for a lifetime. Rugby league skills and drills learned will progress their careers their rise through the ranks," Osborne said.

"Quality outcomes through this centre is imperative."