FUTURE PACIFIC
STARS WARM TO PUT CONCEPT
TOMORROW’S STARS WERE ON SHOW DURING JUNE’S IRB JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE AUCKLAND REGION, BUT WHILE WE SAW THEIR SKILLS ON THE FIELD, AWAY FROM THE SPOTLIGHT THEY WERE LEARNING ABOUT THE POSSIBLE PITFALLS OF PROFESSIONAL RUGBY.
The International Rugby Players’ Association, headed by New Zealander Josh Blackie, held decision- making workshops during the tournament.
The young players, all under 20, learned about the ‘ PUT’ concept – ‘ Perceive, Understand and Think Ahead’ – three simple steps for young players to put in place before making decisions off the field.
The concept was delivered to the players by New Zealander Jason Whatuira, a former law enforcement official who has plenty of experience making quick decisions and tough calls.
His information on situational awareness featured in the last issue of Players Own.
“As rugby players in the professional age, these players are exposed to a whole bunch of risks,” Whatuira said. “We wanted to give them a working model for decision- making that was simple and that they could apply in any aspect of their professional and personal lives, with the outcome of accentuating positive risk and mitigating negative risk.
“The PUT concept is really just risk- analysis but can be applied in any sphere. What we do off the field can impact on the field and vice versa, so making the right decisions is key.
“Situational awareness is being conscious of your current situation, understanding what it means to you and thinking about how the decisions you make at that moment can impact on you now and in the future.”
Blackie said the course was of huge benefit to players at the JWC tournament.
“It is great to see that the game is being proactive in providing young elite players with off- field education and awareness programmes. The outcome will ensure we have strong ambassadors for the game’s future both on and off the field.”
Former Manu Samoan international Seilala Mapusua was there to help the next generation of Pacific Island players at the tournament, and supported the ‘ PUT’ concept.
“A lot of these boys have just left high school and have been thrust into the public eye and you can’t really prepare for it. We just want to give them as many tools and resources as possible to make those good decisions,” Mapusua said.
Mapusua was there on behalf of the Pacific Islands Players’ Association, which was formed in 2012 and keeps its growing membership informed through its popular e- mag Underkava.
PIPA has established itself as the collective voice for Pacific Island Rugby Players. They are ensuring that both current and former Pacific Island Players contribute to the success of Pacific Island Rugby both on and off the field.
Former Fiji captain Deacon Manu joined Mapusua to pass on advice to the JWC players. He says it was a good chance to offer some guidance and direction.
“A lot of it’s about education and that’s a general thing we are pushing for right throughout academy levels right through to professionals. Just like anyone else, they’ve been exposed to some things such as professional sport pretty early on.
“Through PIPA we are just trying to create that support network that filters information and experience from past players down to the younger guys. These ideas dovetail with the proactive approach Whatuira takes in dealing with risky situations.
“There are many ways to define what risk is and probably the most simplistic one is the failure of analysis. If you’re not analysing your finances, it’s a big risk. If you’re not analysing your food intake, it’s a big risk. A big part of it comes down to situational awareness. Be aware that as rugby players, you are in the media. One foot wrong and you’re in the headlines.
“Warnings are being ignored out there and we’re still seeing high- profile sporting figures get themselves in trouble. I see failure as an opportunity to learn and it’s far better to learn from someone else’s mistakes than to make those same mistakes yourself.”