Coca-Cola Binatangs ready for Queensland Championships AFLPNG’s under 14 Coca-Cola Binatangs will depart this Thursday for the Gold Coast in Queensland to participate in the 2013 Queensland State Championships. Young boys from the Highlands (Goroka and Mt. Hagen), Islands (Kimbe/Hoskins and Kavieng) , Northern (Lae and Kainantu) and Port Moresby were selected at the Coca-Cola National Championships held in November last year at Lae’s Igam Barracks. Squads have been preparing in each of the regions since February for the big trip. High hopes are held for a strong performance, with Assistant Coach Mesea Dorogori declaring the boys as equal to any side he has travelled with before. Dorogori said: “Our preparation this year commenced early and our selection process was strong. We have won this carnival before and believe we are a good chance of following the success of the under 16 Coca-Cola Binatangs who won the South Pacific Cup in Townsville in April”. “Our boys come from six different centres so getting the team together has been difficult. We will have a joint training session on Thursday before getting on the plane, and then warm up against some club teams before taking on under 14 representative squads from around Queensland.” “The Australian teams have an advantage in that they live close together and have been able to train and play as a group. We will compensate for that with some practice matches and the boys will spend 10 days together in a camp and education environment”. The Meli name continues in AFLPNG history with the son of Mosquito legend, the late Peter Meli, being selected to travel. Peter Meli junior comes from Lae, and his brother David Meli was of course on an international scholarship to the Essendon Football Club in Melbourne. AFLPNG General Manager, Murray Bird said: “This trip represents the first step in the Coca-Cola talented player pathway for PNG youth. It will be a fantastic learning and life experience for the boys. Many have not been on a plane before. They will play in a good football competition, experience the Gold Coast, engage in player education sessions, and train and generally have the time of their lives”. “Who knows, one or two might be noticed by an AFL club and start a career similar to Mt. Hagen’s Gideon Simon who is currently contracted to the Richmond Football Club in Melbourne. It all begins here, and we hope all the boys play well and represent their country with pride”. The team will be coached by AFL South Pacific Development Officer, Ben Drew, who will be assisted by Mesea Dorogori. Team manager is Coronation Primary School’s AFLPNG volunteer, Bill Mark. The final squad is: Valentine Janguan - Taurama Suns/Port Moresby Sylvester Wesley - Tarango/Mt Hagen Peter Meli jnr - Port Power/Lae George Vincent - Central Bombers/Port Moresby Eddie Posi Manzin - Taurama Suns/Port Moresby George Metu - Bomana Cats/Port Moresby Saburo Gerard - Taurama Suns/Port Moresby Cobern Gamuna - Bomana Cats/Port Moresby Clifton Puri - Bomana Cats/Port Moresby Nathanial Noke - Central Bombers/Port Moresby Iama Rawali - Bomana Cats/Port Moresby Ezra Fungke - Taurama Suns/Port Moresby Thomas Wakon - St Marys/Lae Richard Walu - Scared Heart/Kimbe Ilam Mike - Taurama Suns/Port Moresby Jemasol Paira - Port Power/Lae Justine Murawa - Kavieng Paniel Penias - Port Power/Lae Samuel Kenjau - Port Power/Lae Pano Ikivari - Goroka Stanley Giau - Scared Heart/Kimbe Mazi Tipeo - Sale Dogs/Lae Shadrick Iwi - Taurama Suns/Port Moresby Joe Mondo - St Marys/Lae Elton Palai - Sale Dogs/Lae Kepas Matrus - St Marys/Lae
Posted on: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:10:38 +0000
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