NSW Achievers tour of PNG
COL Wright had a dream of opening pathways in sport – and opening young eyes to another world – when he instituted the Western NSW Achievers tour of Papua New Guinea.
This year the tour for Under-16s moved into its second decade as young players from across the west gathered together for a week-long tour to Port Moresby and surrounds.
The tour exposes youngsters to life in a city and in surrounding villages that are very different to what they know in Australia. Those who have toured over the years speak of being gobsmacked by the toughness of the matches, but equally humbled by the wonderful friendliness and hospitality of the people who take them into their homes and traditional villages.
This year’s team included five players from Nyngan as well as Cobar, Parkes, Forbes, Lake Cargelligo, Wattle Flat, Bathurst, Walgett and a couple of invitees from Laurieton.
Impressive young referee Cody Simmons accompanied the team – self-funded – as he continues his development and rise up the ranks.
The undoubted highlight on the playing fields came when NSW played PNG as a curtain raiser to the International clash between the PNG national team and the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII.
In a tradition adopted over the past four years on the Achievers’ tours, the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII presented players with their guernseys prior to the big match.
Col Wright said this is an exciting addition to the itinerary.
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