New Zealand rugby coaching clinic for PNG rugby union coaches: 21-25 June

Two New Zealand rugby union coaches will be running a rugby coaching clinic for around 30 PNG rugby union coaches next week (21-25 June), in Port Moresby.

The two coaches are Auckland Blues assistant coach Shane Howarth and Waikato Chiefs assistant coach Craig Stevenson. 

“We are looking forward to our first visit to Papua New Guinea next week. 

“Playing team sports is such a positive way to build character in the youth of NZ and in PNG”, the two New Zealand coaches said.

The coaching clinic is a result of a request from Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to New Zealand Prime Minister John Key in 2009 and is funded and organised by the New Zealand Government, with the assistance of the PNG Rugby Football Union.

“We’ve heard about the Pikinini Sports programme being run by schools to build social skills as well as sporting skills.  It’s a shame that the programme, which includes touch rugby - a very popular sport in New Zealand - will not be underway while we are in PNG but I think we’ll be kept rather busy training 30 provincial and club rugby coaches.”

"New Zealand is looking forward to hosting the rugby World Cup next year.  Who knows, maybe we can look forward to seeing the Pukpuks at the 2015 World Cup," the two coaches said.

“We are very pleased to be able to offer this coaching clinic to the PNGRFU,” said Ms Marion Crawshaw New Zealand High Commissioner, “and I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the PNGRFU and POM International School for their assistance.”