The Deputy Head of Mission, Dr. Joanne Loundes, held a small farewell reception for the PNG Pepes and AFL PNG U16 male & female players at the Australian High Commission office today (February 10th), who will be participating in the upcoming PacificAus Sports events in Australia this month and in March.
The Pacific Sports Netball Series will be hosted from February 17-22 in Brisbane, which is spearheaded by PacificAus Sports in collaboration with Netball Australia, and PNG Netball Federation.
PNG Pepes will compete against Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, the Australian First Nation Black Swans, and for the first time, Scotland will also take part in the series. The Pepes will leave for Brisbane on Wednesday, February 12th.
In addition, PacificAus Sports in partnership with AFL Australia will host the U16 female AFL Pacific Academy camp on the Gold Coast from February 19-24, followed by the U16 male training camp from March 19-24.
The traveling squad for the AFL PNG U16 boys & girls featured eight players each, including two officials. These emerging players will have an opportunity to further develop their skills in Australia and have a chance to compete against some of the best talents for the Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions Academies.
With the date for the AFL PNG U16 girls approaching quickly, they will depart the country next Monday (February 17), while the U16 boys will travel to Down Under in March.
Dr. Loundes encouraged the athletes and mentioned that the Australian High Commission, through PacificAus Sports, was glad to support both the PNG Pepes and AFL PNG U16 males & females.
“The Australian High Commission, through the PacificAus Sports, are really pleased and delighted to support these opportunities for both the PNG Pepes and AFL PNG U16 boys and girls,” Loundes said.
“Expand some of your horizons and see what professional sports can lead you to. I know it’s a long journey, but if you can see, touch, and feel what it’s like, then hopefully it inspires you to turn up to training, change your nutrition habits, or whatever it is that the coaches instruct you to do.
“We know how much sacrifice there is that goes into it, particularly from your families. We do appreciate the sacrifice and I hope you too appreciate the sacrifice your families have made to get you to where you are now.
“Train hard, work hard, have fun, and give your best. We will be cheering you on from here. Safe travels and we wish you all the best.”
Netball PNG President, Ulato Avei expressed the PNG Pepes’ appreciation to the Australian High Commission and PacificAus Sports for supporting them to take part in the forthcoming series in Australia.
“On behalf of Netball PNG, I would like to thank the Australian Government, through PacificAus Sports, for giving us this opportunity to participate in the Pacific Netball series,” Avei said.
“It's a great opportunity for our players to participate in elite sports. That’s where our skill development comes in and our lifestyle learning comes in as well.
“As part of the board’s strategy, we’ve been trying to get the players to come out of their comfort zones and work hard to participate in big events, enjoy the partnership with others, and motivate them to improve their lifestyles.”
On behalf of AFL PNG U16 boys and girls, coach Sedrick Dugi acknowledged the Australian High Commission, through PacificAus Sports, for their assistance and assured them that the players would give their best to represent the country with pride and honor.
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