PNGRFL CRL team completes NRL coaching education workshop

The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League [PNGRFL] Community Rugby League [CRL] team has completed an NRL Coaching Education Workshop as part of an ongoing NRL–PNGRFL capacity-building partnership.

The Coach Education Workshop was facilitated by Ross Antoniolli, NRL Community Lead Education Development Manager, at the PNGRFL Headquarters located at the Santos National Football Stadium.

The workshop was delivered as an interactive session, where CRL officers discussed best practice coach facilitation methods aimed at building participants’ capacity to understand different delivery approaches to help grow rugby league in schools and communities. The methodology focused on how to coach rather than what to coach.

Antoniolli further explained how the workshop will support game development officers in delivering coaching courses.

“We discussed coaching methods so that coaches can apply them in their own environments, whether in schools or clubs. We are also focused on developing their skills so they are able to support other coaches within their communities and nurture the growing passion for rugby league here. It’s important that volunteer coaches are supported so they can provide positive experiences for all players,” Antoniolli said.

“The CRL team was outstanding during the session. Their main challenge now will be reflecting on how they currently deliver their coaching activities and how they can integrate what they’ve learned into future clinics while being creative in their approaches,” Antoniolli added.

PNGRFL CRL National Game Development Manager, Nigel Hukula, elaborated on how his team rolls out coaching activities in schools and communities and encouraged interested schools, associates, and affiliates to register for the programs.

“Today’s clinic reinforced that there are structured processes involved in delivering our programs. Our officers learned the importance of ensuring sessions are safe, fun, and engaging, and that adjustments may be required to meet the needs of participants, whether they are school-aged children or community members."

“Our officers schedule visits with registered associate schools and deliver fundamental rugby league skills sessions. If students are interested in further participation, they can register through their schools.”

Hukula emphasised that this season the team is targeting schools that are not currently part of the schools’ league but are interested in participating in PNGRFL programs.

“If your school would like to get involved in our programs, please contact our Game Development Officers in the Northern, Southern, New Guinea Islands, or Highlands’s regions so we can assist you.”