Sherwin Tanabi knows that if the 2021 Rugby League World Cup wasn’t postponed by one year, he wouldn’t be where he is today.
Twelve months ago, Tanabi was fresh off his first season in Papua New Guinea’s Digicel Cup, where he played for the Lae Tigers and was 18th man on grand final day.
Playing in the Hostplus Cup was still just a goal of his, let alone representing his country.
But tomorrow morning - Tuesday, November 1, at 5.30am AEST – Tanabi will make his official PNG Kumuls debut, when he starts for his home nation in their World Cup pool clash with Wales.
Not only is this a dream come true for the 21-year-old, but it caps off a meteoric rise through the rugby league ranks.
After his breakout season in the Digicel Cup last year, Tanabi has earned a PNG Hunters contract, trained with the North Queensland Cowboys Young Guns, played for the Helensvale Hornets in the Gold Coast’s A grade competition.
On top of that, he went on to star in the South East’s XXXX Chairman’s Challenge for the Gold Coast Vikings, made his Hostplus Cup debut, represented PNG’s PM’s XIII, and now, is a Kumul.
“From this time last year, I didn’t think I would be here,” Tanabi said.
“This time last year after the season, I was just at home. I didn’t play much of the Digicel Cup, I didn’t play half of the season. I didn’t know what it would turn into.
“I was thinking back to 2017 and I was in grade 10 and watching the World Cup. Now I’m in the 2021 World Cup… words can’t express what it means.
“If the World Cup wasn’t postponed and they played it last year, I wouldn’t be in this spot right now.
“It’s a big progression on my career this year. I really didn’t expect myself to be here.”
For Tanabi, each opportunity this year, no matter how big or small, has helped him develop into the player he is today.
When the young forward talks about his week in Townsville at the start of the season, his face glows with pride at getting to meet the likes of “the big boys”, such as Queensland Maroons star, Valentine Holmes, and Cowboys sensation, Jason Taumalolo.
Then came community footy on the Gold Coast – an experience Tanabi credits as being the launchpad for his stunning season.
“I only played two games with the Hornets and then I was asked if I was available with the Vikings,” Tanabi said.
“I joined the Vikings to play the Chairman’s Challenge. It was what I needed to help me get through the season.
“That was what I needed to get myself into the game. I’m just glad to have those chances.”
He said playing for the Gold Coast teams was a bit of a culture adjustment being his first time in a side without his Papua New Guinean teammates.
But Vikings coach, Wayne Forbes, felt Tanabi fit into his new settings immediately.
Forbes first spotted the young gun in Helensvale’s Round 2 win over Currumbin – a victory he said Tanabi had a great deal to do with.
He included him in his XXXX Chairman’s Challenge squad and never looked back.
“When I first noticed Sherwin, I noticed he was a hard runner, had a fantastic work rate, and was almost pushing players out of the way just to get the ball,” Forbes said.
“He was keen and an excited kind of player.
“Then with Sherwin, one of the biggest things I remember was the week leading into the Chairman’s Challenge at training. He’s the sort of guy that is always listening, always giving 100 per cent, always asking questions and is really passionate about the game.
“At the end of training, all the guys just went off and started doing their thing, and he came over and asked if he could carry the water bottles to the shed.
“He’s not there to take, take, take, but to give back when he can as well. He’s so appreciative of the experience and opportunities. That’s what’s stuck with me.”
And Tanabi’s attitude and desire to learn is what has seen him succeed this year.
He said after his inconsistent season in the Digicel Cup in 2021, coming in and out of the side, all he wanted this year was to “make the final cut and then be consistent.”
So when his hard work in the Gold Coast competitions paid off and he got that Hostplus Cup call up for the Hunters in Round 5, he was determined to not go backwards.
“My debut was against the Burleigh Bears in ANZAC Round,” Tanabi said.
“I remember coming off the bench. I played like five minutes and accidentally did a crusher (tackle) and got sent off for 10 minutes. We got pumped that game.
“My second game was against the Devils (in Round 7, after a bye) and (coach Matt Church) gave me a starting job. When he gave me that first start, that was it. I knew it was my only chance.”
Tanabi started in the second row in that match against eventual premiers Norths in Toowoomba and he held onto that jersey for the entire season.
Whispers of a possible World Cup appearance then started to eventuate in June.
Tanabi was selected as part of the PNG Kumuls Pacific Test squad against Fiji and while he didn’t play, he was told he was on the radar for the PM’s XIII.
That then became a reality in late September when he was named to take on the Australian PM’s XIII, featuring a host of NRL stars, including Josh Addo-Carr, Daly Cherry-Evans, Ben Hunt, and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
“It was a good experience to verse the Kangaroos,” Tanabi said.
“That game was next level. It was just learning something new.
“I wasn’t really sure (if I’d make the World Cup) because we got pumped. I played off the bench too and I was moving around in different positions on the field.”
Tomorrow, however, all of Tanabi’s hard work, his determined attitude, will pay off as he completes the journey from community football to a World Cup debutant – a PNG Kumul.
PNG are looking to secure the final place in the World Cup quarter-finals, with Wales – a side that also features community rugby league players in Valley Diehards duo Ollie and James Olds – needing to win by 22 points to cause an upset.
Tanabi, who was 18th man in PNG's opening pool match against Tonga, will look to push his nation’s case and, while he was reluctant to discuss his debut because it made him “overexcited”, it is clear it is a significant milestone and one that makes many people proud.
Forbes said the sky is the limit when it comes to Tanabi, who hopes to one day play in the NRL or Super League.
“He just had all the attributes to go a long way. He had the body, the size, the skills, and he is very coachable.
“There’s a lot of people out there that are similar and do those little things that push them across the line. Being coachable, it takes you a long way.”
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The weekend will mark the first Queensland Rugby League match for Hostplus Cup newcomers the Western Clydesdales, who will face the PNG Hunters in Toowoomba on Sunday.
Among Hunters' players will be Sherwin Tanabi, who recently returned to the Hunters squad after earning a training contract with the Dolphins in the off-season.
KICK OFF: The PNG Hunters will make their first trip to Toowoomba for their Hostplus Cup opener on Sunday.(Supplied: Facebook)
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The PNG Hunters – and the weather – rained all over the Western Clydesdales’ parade
as the Hunters triumphed 20-10 in wet conditions at Clive Berghofer Stadium
It was a historic day in Toowoomba as the Clydesdales played their first game in Cup since 2006
proving to be just too strong for the home team
Backrower Sherwin Tanabi was full of praise for the Hunters’ debutants in particular
after the club underwent a large turnover for 2023
Fullback Morea Morea was named the Hastings Deering player of the match
standing up for his side as the rain poured down for the majority of the match
“It’s exciting … I really can’t express it because half of the team
they are new boys who came up from Digicel Cup,” Tanabi said
“We had to defend three sets in a row but everyone was good and stood up for each other and we got the win in the end
he was Digicel Cup player of the year last year and he did some good things out on the field
But everyone stood up for each other.”
While the Clydesdales didn’t record their first victory
there will be plenty to take from that match
Errors hampered their attempts at a comeback
but captain Darryn Schonig led strongly from the front while hooker Drew Timms
prop Todd White and interchange lock Takai Mokohar also impressed
Tanabi felt the impact of the resilient Clydesdales team and said they certainly challenged the Hunters
“We didn’t know what that team would be like but we knew they wanted to come out and win for their first game of the season,” he said
“They wanted it to be part of the club’s history
It was a tough game but they came out strong.”
Post Courier
PNG Kumuls forward and SP PNG Hunters train-on-squad member Sherwin Tanabi is determined to lead if he successfully makes the final 30-men squad
Coming back from the 2021 Rugby League World Cup challenge in England
the Morobe lad is pumped to help young talents coming through the program and the team in reaching the finals next year
Tanabi joined the Hunters side this season after an impressive season with the Lae Snax Tigers
Standing at 182cm and weighing at around 98kg
Tanabi is a blockbuster in back-row and was a powerful weapon for Kumuls in the World Cup
coming off-the bench in his debut game against Wales
it was the best experience to go out there to train and learn from the boys from NRL like Justin Olam and AJ (Alex Johnston) and Rhyse Martin from Super League,” Tanabi said
“Bringing back those experiences to the team is what I’m here to do and to help the boys complete the preseason on high for best 2023 season
I need to train hard and get other stuff right both on and off the field to make the final squad for the season.”
Tanabi said with the addition of players like Henry Wan
Casey Dickson who will add size and experience in the forward pack if those players also make the final cut
“Henry was with the Hunters before and he’s been out for a season but it is good to have him back
“Ila (Alu) and Francis (Kembis) also to lead us up in the front
“It’s good to have mixture of players especially size and experience so hopefully we will have a good season next year,” he said
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The SP PNG Hunters currently have four players undergoing fulltime pre-season training with the Dolphins NRL squad in preparation for the 2023 season
This arrangement is part of a strategic partnership between the SP PNG Hunters and the Dolphins NRL club
which aims to get more local players of Papua New Guinean heritage into the NRL competition
The four Hunters players – Judah Rimbu, Rodrick Tai, Sherwin Tanabi and Emmanuel Waine – began training with the Wayne Bennett-coached Dolphins this week and will be working towards earning a fulltime NRL contract over the next eight weeks of pre-season
SP PNG Hunters CEO Scott Barker is genuinely excited by the opportunity afforded to the Hunters players
“This is a unique and exciting opportunity for some of our players to get elite level coaching and take their game to the next level,” Barker said
“We’re extremely thankful to be working so closely with the Dolphins NRL team and hopefully this is the first step to seeing more Papua New Guineans competing in the NRL.”
Dolphins NRL CEO Terry Reader echoed Barker’s sentiments
“We are proud to host the four players from the SP PNG Hunters and to provide the opportunity for this pathway for Papua New Guinean rugby league players
I look forward to seeing them compete with our newly formed squad during pre-season,” Reader said
The SP PNG Hunters will kick-off their 2023 campaign when they travel to Clive Berghofer Stadium
12th of March to take on QRL Hostplus Cup new-comers the Western Clydesdales
The Hunters will play out the 2023 season on home soil for the first time in almost three years
having been relocated to the Gold Coast in seasons ‘21 and ‘22 due to the COVID-19 pandemic
The anticipation of bringing Queensland Cup rugby league back to Port Moresby is a driving force for the Hunters this year but they will have to play without the home ground advantage on Sunday when they meet the Clydesdales in Toowoomba
Head Coach Stanley Tepend – the current PNG Kumuls Head Coach – takes the reins this year and has the support of Kumuls legend Paul Aiton in the coaches box
We can expect a different playing style from the Hunters under Tepend’s tutelage this season as they look to improve on their 12th placed finish of 2021
A partnership with The Dolphins NRL club is another key new element to the Hunters ‘23 campaign
Rodrick Tai and Sherwin Tanabi have all returned to the club following an offseason spent training with The Dolphins NRL squad under Wayne Bennett
The experience afforded these players will no doubt have a positive impact on the wider Hunters squad this year
Tepend is well positioned in 2023 to take full advantage of what is a growing young squad
Thirteen Hunters debuted last season and those who have returned this year will be better for the experience
on-field combinations take time to develop however there is plenty for Tepend and the coaching staff to build on from season 2022
There is a little more unknown about the Western Clydesdales
who make their return to the Hostplus Cup this week
Formerly the Toowoomba Clydesdales who last competed in the QRL back in 2006
the revamped club will be eager to make it’s mark on the competition
Inaugural captain Darryn Schonig will lead the club on Sunday and provides the pack with NRL experience
while try scoring and excitement machine Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga – formerly with the Brisbane Tigers – is the headline name in the backs
In what will be their first home game in more than 15 years
the Clydesdales are expected to play a tough
gritty brand of football in front of an eager home crowd
They might be new-comers in the Hostplus Cup competition but the Western Clydesdales will be anything but an easy opponent on Sunday afternoon
While it might take a few weeks for backline combinations to form
one thing we can always expect from the Hunters is a powerful running game through the middle of the field
Epel Kapinias and Ila Alu make up a strong middle forward trio while Tanabi and debutant Julius Yakopa line up on the edges
Experienced hooker Wesser Tenza is the man at the ruck and will be tasked with bringing his hard-running forwards into the game
A recent trial against the Fiji Silktails was a good example of the Hunters ability to dominate the middle third and create scoring opportunities on the back of their momentum
Tenza and Rop in particular struck up a damaging combination in that game
with Rop scoring a hatrick of tries as the Hunters crashed through the middle of the field
Tenza plays with great vision and sleight of hand from dummy-half
manipulating defenders and passing his forwards into positive areas around the ruck
His ball playing smarts have the ability to test the Clydesdales middle defence on Sunday if the Hunters can earn themselves enough attacking field position
SP PNG Hunters assistant coach Paul Aiton said he is excited for the squad in what will be their first hit-out of the season
“We’ve got lots of new faces in the squad this year which is exciting for the club,” said Aiton
this will be the first time travelling to and playing in Australia
It’s a good opportunity for us to get rid of any nerves and dive right in.”
we’ll be focussing on the basics and keeping it simple
Possession and completion rates will be important.”
Aiton had plenty of respect for the Western Clydesdales and is not expecting an easy game
“The players coming from that area – they’re always tough,” said Aiton
“It’s their first game back in the competition and we know they’re not going to come lightly
PNG Hunters are hopeful of welcoming back two of their consistent forwards in Junior Rop and Sherwin Tanabi for the remainder of the season
the team needs some inspiration and spark in the middle to ignite the momentum of the game going forward
With the top-eight weighing in the balance
the Hunters remaining four weeks are crucial and are a must win
Stanley Tepend’s men will come off a bye this weekend and the following
Townsville Blackhawks and Norths Devils to end the season and need to earn the wins with convincing margins if they are to make the play-offs
Rop after a head knock was assisted out of the field with two-minutes left before the break in the match against the Central Queensland Capras
was observing the compulsory 12-day HIA stand down policy and would return for duty in the upcoming clash against Tigers
underwent shoulder treatment made a return three-weeks ago but was down with another spraying
“Apart from Junior being out for the last few weeks
we are steady which is a good sign,” Tepend said
“Junior has failed his HIA and he got a mandatory 13 days stand down
“He will comeback as soon as possible in the next game and we are hoping to get both Junior and Sherwin back on game
“Big Tommy Moide is also out due to a knee injury but we have a couple of options to go
These are things we have to adapt as a team.”
Hunters will be on bye this weekend while also another general week off for the competition before resuming on the third week
The 11th placed Hunters will face the top-four Tigers at Brisbane
By ANNE-MARIE WAMINEDWU Journalism Student
accompanied by representatives from World Vision and a delegation of EU officials
embarked on a tour of EU-funded projects in Lae
The visit’s highlighted the transformative potential of the Flower Power Project
a partnership between the EU and World Vision aimed at fostering community development
The day’s activities began at the International Food Corporation (IFC) factory in Malahang observed EU-supported initiatives fostering economic growth
The delegation then proceeded to Nasuapum village
where they met members of the Nasuapum Impact Club
a youth-led group addressing social and environmental challenges
spoke about the club’s focus on gender equality and community transformation
are changing mindsets and helping our youths become positive contributors to the community,” Ms Kilamu said
Ambassador Fradin praised the community’s dedication
emphasising the project’s broader implications: “This project is about peace
The enthusiasm at Nasuapum is a testament to the potential of these efforts.”
where Ambassador Fradin opened a newly built greenhouse
a central feature of the Flower Power Project
the greenhouse employs climate-smart techniques to cultivate market-demanding flowers
World Vision’s Economic Empowerment and Resilience Portfolio manager
highlighted the project’s impact across six communities: Bumayong
“The Flower Power Project is creating opportunities for women and youth to thrive through floriculture
“We are grateful to the EU for making this vision possible,” she said
Funded with $1.1 million (around K4.4 million) by the European Union
and community development in Morobe Province
PNG Hunters first 18-10 home win against visiting Mackay Cutters comes at a huge cost as the workaholic backrower Sherwin Tanabi was sent straight to the hospital for further treatment
Tanabi left the field just eight minutes in the opening minutes of first half and he was replaced by Koso Bandi
clearly seen grimacing in pain and in immediate action with his arm on the right collar
suspected of a collar or a shoulder injury
The Hunters management including assistant coach Paul Aiton later confirmed Tanabi was sent to the hospital for further assessment after taken off the field and his nature of the injury will be updated later
Hunters showed some promise in the first 40
a single conversion from three attempts including a penalty before the half-time hooter against the depleted Cutters who were able to get a solo converted try
Raising star Morea Morea continued to show his top form
scoring an epic opener in the 12th minute from five-eighth Joshua Mire’s spiral bomb and assisted one to put himself above the rest
Julius Yakopa and Benji Kot saw the home side comfortably leading 14-6 at the break with Cutters only try to Joshua Smith
Cutters raring to equalise and overtake the Stanley Tepend coached side and perfectly rewarded with winger Flynn Camilleri punched in from an inch perfect grubber from playmaker Brandon Finnegan
Hunters yet again marching around as favourites in a 14-10 margin
A formidable combination out of a ruck against scattered Cutters saw Morea put Roderick Tai to drive the nail deeper
together with Mire while Mavoko raised one
Plenty of missed tackles and opportunities in the second half but Hunters managed to hold on and win
really need to focus on the goal line defense,” Aiton said
we have worked hard over the week specifically on that and our boys responded well.”
Cutters mentor David Elliot credited the Hunters for the win and added that it was a was tough encounter for them
Two members of the 2022 SP PNG Hunters playing squad – Sherwin Tanabi and Anthony Worot – will spend this week training with the North Queensland Cowboys Young Guns side and will compete in a trial match this weekend against the Mackay Cutters
The match will be the curtain raiser to the North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos NRL trial.
It is just rewards for Tanabi and Worot who are nearing the end of an impressive pre-season program and now have a chance to impress at an NRL-development level
It is also a wonderful opportunity for Hunters’ players to be looked at by first-grade coaches and for the Hunters’ brand to be represented at that next level.
Hunters Head Coach Matt Church is excited by the opportunity:
“I am very happy for Sherwin and Anthony to be spending the week with the North Queensland Young Guns squad and I would like to thank the Cowboys for their involvement and support
Both players thoroughly deserve the opportunity and I’m confident they will do the Hunters proud.
We have challenged both Sherwin and Anthony to make the most of this week and to share their experiences with the rest of our playing group when they return
I look forward to watching their development continue this season
Additionally this is great opportunity to expose Stanley to best-practice coaching methods and further commit to his development as a coach.”
The NQ Young Guns face the Mackay Cutters this Saturday
Access to the electricity provided through this mini grid will transform the educational experience of young people and teachers at the Pimaga Vocational Education and Training (VET) centre
“For the first time we will have access to power
This PGK1.8 million investment is part of the Santos Foundation’s Youth Opportunities Program focussed on delivering greater outcomes for young people in Kutubu
training and employment opportunities are core to this program
and we are excited about our partnership with both SLB and the VET centre”
The new investment will mean the students will now have the opportunity to use modern equipment as part of their trade training “to gain hands- on experience and training they would not be able to get otherwise
It means they will be job ready in a competitive market” adds Matt Loth of SLB
Energy poverty is a critical development issue and finding a renewable energy solution for a remote setting is life changing
It will mean better opportunities previously impossible in this community
The Asian Development Bank Energy Sector summary states that PNG has one of the lowest electrification rates in the Pacific
with only 13% of the population having access to electricity
Lack of access to affordable and reliable power
constrains growth in smaller urban centres and contributes to poverty in rural areas (Sector Assessment (Summary): Energy (adb.org))
The Santos Foundation is proud to be partnering with SLB and the Pimaga VET centre on this project and believes the contribution will make a lasting impact on the local community that access the VET centre and look forward to seeing the benefits of this project in the years to come
The Papua New Guinea LNG Kumuls team has been named for the upcoming Pacific test against Fiji Bati which will be played in Australia
The footy gods were smiling down on the Santos National Football Stadium on Saturday afternoon as the SP PNG Hunters pulled off a fairy-tale finish in their homecoming match with the Mackay Cutters in Round 20 of the Hostplus Cup
SP PNG Hunters celebrate Homecoming with Win over Mackay Cutters 30 - 28 [PNG Hunters photo]Trailing by four points with seconds remaining
the Hunters produced a miracle play with their final possession to beat the Cutters in front of a joyous crowd in Port Moresby to round out their 2022 season
The 78 minutes prior was a seesawing affair as both sides struggled with their ball security in the humid conditions
The Cutters were first to trouble the scoreboard when prop Jayden Morgan barged his way over in the 16th minute thanks to a clever switch play from behind the ruck
Mackay then went over again just three minutes later when Kyle Krisanski-Kennedy took possession out the back of a decoy line to score down the Cutters’ left edge
the Hunters frontloaded their defence to batter and bruise the Mackay forwards and quickly gain momentum through the middle of the field
A clever fifth tackle kick then pinned the Cutters in a corner and the defensive pressure PNG applied forced an error in yardage from Mackay which Hunters centre Rodrick Tai punished to score in the 27th minute
Benji Kot followed in his centre partner’s footsteps not long after
finishing off a slick left edge movement to latch onto a Judah Rimbu cut-out pass and score in the 34th minute
the Hunters then produced some enterprising play down their right edge when five-eighth Kingstimer Paraia ran it on the last to beat the rushing defence before offloading to Sherwin Tanabi in support
Two more clever offloads followed when Tanabi linked with Tai and Tai then found winger Liam Joseph back on the inside
who scored in the right-hand corner to give PNG a 14-12-point lead at the break
The Cutters were first to score again in the second half when Luke Wembley crossed in the 44th minute before centre-turned-fullback Gehamat Shibisaki exploded with an energetic 15 minute display
Shibisaki was everywhere for the Cutters midway through the second half
setting up another for Laitia Moceidreke and denying a third for the Hunters when he intercepted a PNG pass on his own try line
For all of Shibisaki’s efforts though
the resilience and bravery of this Hunters side – who have not been home since November 2021 and had not played a Cup game on home soil since 2019 – was the difference
A sinbinning for PNG prop Dilbert Issac with 10 minutes remaining only added to the narrative as the Hunters chased a four-point deficit with the clock winding down and a key player on the sidelines
As the PNG faithful know all too well though
hooker Wartovo Puara Jnr – the most capped player in the club’s proud history – positioned himself at halfback on the Hunters' right edge and orchestrated what can only be described as a rugby league miracle
A two-pass shift through Puara Jnr got Rodrick Tai at a retreating defence despite Mackay’s numbers advantage and the centre put on a specialist move to beat his opposite man and pass winger Liam Joseph down the touchline
the 20-year-old Joseph then beat no less than four Cutters defenders to get the ball free and flick a one-handed offload back inside to Puara Jnr in support
Puara Jnr sold him a dummy for the ages to skip back in towards the posts and dive over as the locals erupted with excitement
It was a poetic end to both a challenging season and an even more challenging three-year relocation period for the Hunters
who demonstrated that Papua New Guinea is well and truly ready to regain its status as a rugby league heartland in 2023
Head coach Matt Church was emotional after full-time
“It’s a great exclamation point on the back of almost three years being away from home,” said Church
No other group could have done what this group has done and endured what they’ve endured and still never
PNG Hunters hooker and PNG International Wartovo Puara will lead the Papua New Guinea PM's XIII on Sunday when they take on Australia at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane
Australia. Puara is a wealth of experience with seven international appearances to his name
as well as being the most capped PNG Hunter.
knows when to inject himself and is a role model for the younger boys
Papua New Guinea squad to face Australian Prime Minister’s XIII:
The Papua New Guinea Kumuls coach Stanley Tepend has announced his team lineup to face Wales in the final round of the Rugby World Cup.
Junior ROP has joined the team in place of Cruise TEN
who sustained an injury at the weekend and Solo WANE has joined the extended squad.
Rugby League: WHEN will the flag of another Joshua Lau or Sherwin Tanabi be raised from within the heart of ward 2 of Lae City
Or even pull out another Justin Olam reaching the NRL
Bring on the inaugural 7th Street Off-Season Rugby League in the heart of Lae City currently underway in its inaugural season and the heat is up to produce flagship players straight out of Lae City
Lae City’s 7th Street Off-Season RL President Manu Eleken highlighted yesterday ending the last and round 9 of the competition heading into the top 6 elimination playoffs
Eleken said the atmosphere is brewing to bring out the finest of Papua New Guinea’s nambawan sport in this part of Lae City where talents like Lau and Tanabi hail from and have risen up the best of PNG Rugby League through the SP PNG Hunters and PNG Kumuls
Eleken said so far since starting earlier in September
the competition is near the end and is expected to finish by the first week of December
He said Lae City and its innermost suburbs is always known and blamed for contributing to the social disorders in the city
“As much as we want to keep it on a low and stay out of trouble
this is one avenue that unites the youths of ward 2
keeps them busy and focused on positive paths,” Eleken said
He said since starting in September with 10 teams
all playing in one divisions of A Grade men and all teams originating from within the Ward 2 of the Lae Urban Council
the competition is solely run by fees collected from teams’ registrations
“We hope the office of the local MP and Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso as well business houses within Lae City can step in to beef us heading into the finals,” Eleken said
Eleken said there is so much positives gained from the competition and standing out is that its been violence free so far
He added that is as well been a motivation to see the 7 Street Off-Season League get established into becoming a suburb league running under the Lae Rugby league
“We will push next year and onwards to achieve this feat,” Eleken said
Eleken plans to finish off the inaugural season by first week of December and that depends on next weekend’s start of the elimination rounds
Next weekend top 6 will see the top two on by while 3rd to play 4th followed by 5th meets 6th placing respectively
The winners advance to meeting the top 2 teams while losers bow out of the finals race
Then winners thereafter book the grand final spots while the losers come down to play for third and fourth placing