Ilakaraeta primary school sports master praises students A schools sports master has nothing but praise in the high spirit performance of the students participating in the Kerema Schools Rugby League competition. This was the comment from Ilakaraeta Primary School sports master Joel Karai who added saying that discipline amongst students is encouraging the high spirit of the games. Karai said they are going through a pilot program, where they are trialling youngsters from Ilakaraeta Primary School, Sikalu Primary School and Kerema Coronation Secondary School. He said that the schools competition is discouraging students from playing in the Kerema Rugby League town competition from partaking in the program. ‘‘We are in our inaugural season, the infant stage where a majority of the students are still learning the basic fundamentals of the game. “This is to protect the students thus avoiding a mismatch in the competition as the local league players have advanced knowledge over first timers. “We are encouraging fair play and equal participation for students to ensure that they play in their correct age group,” he said. Karai again appealed that all students are encouraged to produce their birth certificates or supporting documents to confirm that they are playing in the correct age division. He said this is the pathway program being introduced, with the long term goal for the young boys and girls to play in the Kerema Rugby League competition and further. “We are building the foundation for junior development in the province.” Karai that the recent donation of three sets of uniforms by PNG Rugby Football League Southern Director and Gulf Provincial Rugby Football League board chairman Jacob Ivaroa has given confidence and pride in the students participating. “Our students at this level is all about building their confidence to progress to the bigger stage in the Kerema town league. “We as teachers have taken ownership of the program introduced as rugby league in the country is professionally managed. As an affiliate of the PNGRFL we will benefit from sanctioned programs for both students and teachers to be exposed and to learn.”