PNG Hunters

[mikail-eagle]

New thread for all stories related to the PNG Hunters.

http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/62162

We still have a lot of work to do, Marum says

Source:
The National, Monday January 6th, 2014

THE Hunters will shift into top gear over the next two weeks before their first trial match against the Northern Pride at Barlow Park, Cairns on February 9 in Cairns. The Hunters returned to pre-season training at the Bomana Police College in Port Moresby on Friday are under a heavy training regime to get back on track.
Hunters coach Michael Marum (pictured) said there were not too many issues with the players when they returned from the break.
“It’s a good sign of their commitment to be part of this team and the cause,” he said.
“The first two weeks back now we will concentrate mainly on fitness, tackling and throwing skills plus ironing out the combinations that we have already worked out,” he added.
“But yes we still have a lot of work to do on roles and which position the players will take on,” he said.
Marum said a majority of the players have come under the ‘Kumul Warrior’ programme throughout the Kumul training camps last year, and have become basically smarter to the roles that are expected of them.
“Spots are up for grabs for the starting 17 and (the) positive thing about the situation is that everybody is working hard to earn a spot,” Marum added.
“The two trial matches will allow us to use all players and that will sort that out and measure themselves on how they stand up this level of competition,” he said.
He said they have two trial matches with the second one against the Central Queensland Capras on February 15 at the Browne Park in Rockhampton.
South Pacific Brewery are the Papua New Guinea Hunters major sponsor with a multi-million kina package announced last month.
The Hunters will be based out of Kokopo in East New Britain and will use Kalabond as to host home games.

 

[mikail-eagle]

http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/62094

No rush on replacement
Source:
The National, Friday January 3rd, 2013
By JOHN PANGKATANA
THERE is no rush to fill in the vacant spot left by Penrith Panthers bound Wellington Albert in the Hunters 25-man squad.
Hunters coach Michael Marum yesterday confirmed this while on his way to Port Moresby to start the second phase of their preparation for their debut in the Intrust Super Cup (ISC) competition after a two-week break today.
Marum said: “We still don’t have a replacement for Wellington Albert and are not in a rush to bring someone in straight away as we have good depth in the squad unless selectors have already got a player lined up.”
“We have a tight training schedule for the next two weeks again with our testings to continue.”
Prior to the break for Christmas and New Year all players were put under stringent training programmes and were expected to do their own training to maintain their levels of fitness, so they don’t have issues when they return.
Marum and his coaching staff have this month to prepare before their first real hit-out in a pre-season trial match against the Northern Pride at Barlow Park, Cairns on February 9.
The Northern Pride is also an Intrust Super Cup franchise. The Pride will be a bit more wary of the Hunters after their 29-22 loss to the Gurias in a pre-season match last year. Ironically Marum was the coach of that Guria side.
The Hunters will open their ISC campaign on March 2 against competition heavyweights Redcliffe at their home ground at Dolphin Oval. This match has been drawn as the match of the round and will be televised live on Channel 9.
PNGRFL CEO Brad Tassell earlier stated that the Queensland Rugby League recognises the importance of PNG’s entry by opening the Hunters campaign with a televised match.
ISC clubs will be pressing for a grandfinal berth at Suncorp Stadium on September 28.
There is an extra incentive this season with the ISC premiers given the chance to play for the inaugural NRL Championship against the NSW Cup premiers – one of Australia’s two second tier competition.
This match will be played as a curtain raiser to the NRL grand final at ANZ Stadium on October 5.
Both the ISC and NSW Cup have been labeled conferences of the newly formed National Championships.

 

[mikail-eagle]

http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/62163

Albert waits in camp

Source:
The National, Monday January 6th, 2014
By JOHN PANGKATANA

PENRITH Panthers-bound Wellington Albert is maintaining his fitness levels with PNG’s Queensland Cup team Hunters.
The rangy Southern Highlanders said he has been advised by his player/manager Steve Deacon that he could be travelling anytime in the next two weeks.
Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) CEO Brad Tassell will confirm his travel details.
After spending Christmas and New Year with family in Mendi town, Albert re-joined the Hunters training camp on Friday at the Bomana Police College in Port Moresby.
Albert was taking a break in between the morning and afternoon training session on Saturday, when The National caught up with him.
The Kumul debutant at last year’s World Cup in England said the Panthers are well into their pre-season training and is thankful for the Hunters allowing him to train with them until he leaves.
Albert will join the Panthers Under 20 team that will take part in the Holden Cup competition. With the Panthers winning the premiership last season with a 42-30 win over the New Zealand Warriors, the PNG schoolboy prodigy knows he has a huge job ahead of him.
“Maintaining a high fitness level is important as I don’t want to be the odd one out when I eventually fly across,” he added.
Albert said family, friends, former Giluwe Tigers teammates including fellow Kumul Larsen Marape were invited for a huge farewell for him in Mendi on New Year’s day.
“Lots of words of encouragement from my tribesmen and everybody…don’t drink alcohol, maintain discipline and I appreciate everything,” he added.
He said the team he will be joining also has another promising PNG talent in Wari Varage Junior, who originally went down on a Adrian Lam foundation scholarship with the Sydney Roosters.
Albert also confirmed that his aim is to make the starting 17 but like all other Under-20 players as advised by Panthers CEO Phil Gould, if they do well mid-season they could get a call-up to the National Rugby League.

 

[mikail-eagle]

http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/62359

Hunters logo launched

Source:
The National, Thursday January 9th, 2014

THE spear is synonymous with hunting in Papua New Guinean culture.
While modern weapons such as guns and fishing nets and lines have replaced it as the preferred method for hunting and fishing, spears still continue to play a significant role in some communities – and enjoy a special place in PNG history.
Because of its significance, it has now being adopted and incorporated into the PNG Hunters logo which was released this week as the rugby league team prepares for its debut season in the Queensland Intrust Super Cup competition for 2014.
PNG Rugby Football League and Hunters CEO Brad Tassell made the announcement on Tuesday adding that the release of the logo was another milestone for the SP-sponsored club.
“After the announcement of our naming rights sponsor SP just prior to Christmas we wanted to get our team logo out as soon as possible, so our marketing programmes can kick in,” Tassell said.
“The logo is simple and generic.”
Tassell said the Queensland Rugby League recently presented a survey they commissioned in 2013 to the Intrust Super Cup clubs, which analysed which team and sponsor logos were the most recognisable by fans and media.
“The overwhelming statistic showed that the teams with the simplest and least complicated logos were easily the most recognisable, so this was important in our design,” he added.
“We are really excited now that the logo is out so we can start rolling out our website and merchandise in the lead up to our 2014 campaign.”
Tassell also added that the team were back in camp this week.
“The players and staff arrived back in camp last Friday at Bomana and are doubling their efforts to be fully prepared for the season.
“All players had their programmes to follow over their two-week break and the great news for fans is that all players followed their programmes and returned back fitter bettering their last test results.”
“The players are really buying into and taking ownership of the team culture and are working extremely hard. Our gym is fully set up and all of our supplements, testing and training equipment is ready to go so we are fully prepared.
“The set-up is amazing and I would say is as good as if not better than any other team set-up in the Intrust Super Cup.
“Now it’s up to the players to respond.”
South Pacific Brewery’s managing director Stan Joyce said the SP PNG Hunters was the biggest thing to happen for “our game and our beer”.

 

[mikail-eagle]

The Official PNG Hunters Logo

 

[mikail-eagle]

And these are the unofficial logos created by fans themselves and shared on facebook.

 

[Lockyer4President!]

Some of the fan logos are pretty decent to say the least

 

[mikail-eagle]

Well the official logo hasn't gone down well with a majority fans hence everybody else is coming up with their own.

Most fans want to know why a logo creating contest wasn't held to pick the best logo. the PNGRFL only held a naming contest that came up with the PNG Hunters name.

 

[Foreign Legion]

Worst logo ever, could have been much better

 

[beave]

That official logo is woeful. Nearly all those fan mock ups shit on it from a great height.

 

[The Great Dane]

Yeah I hope the PNGRFL see that fan made logo in the middle, that is a pretty mean looking logo.

 

[parraparraparra]

pretty bad, wont inspire passion or sell merch.

 

[Titanic]

Stan Joyce, the boss of SP Brewery, and ex-GM of a local marketing company in Moresby has his best mate's company doing the graphics … and that's all she wrote.

Bring back the Vipers … their original logo was excellent.

 

[mikail-eagle]

Another sponsor joins in.


http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/62575

Firm backs Hunters

Source:
The National, Tuesday January 14th, 2014

THE Papua New Guinea Hunters have secured Digicel as a sponsor for their debut season in the Queensland Cup competition.
Papua New Guinea Rugby League chief executive officer Brad Tassell yesterday announced the mobile phone company had agreed to be associated with the new franchise.
Tassell said the three-year deal would see the company take on the rights as the official and exclusive telecommunications sponsor to the South Pacific Brewery-sponsored side.
He said the deal was further vindication of the programme.
“Having a recognised national brand such as Digicel on board is fantastic for the organisation and recognition of the importance of the franchise to PNG Rugby League,” he said in a statement.
“Digicel are strong supporters of rugby league in PNG and we are excited about their contribution to the programme.
“I would like to make it clear however that Digicel’s sponsorship is over and above their commitment to the Digicel Cup National Rugby League competition and we want to ensure that remains and continues to further grow and improve.
“It is important to the PNGRFL and rugby league in PNG that Digicel’s commitment to the national competition continues and we will do everything possible to ensure it does.
“We believe that sponsorship of the Hunters will further enhance Digicel’s already significant profile in PNG.”
Tassell said the sponsorship was fast filling up.
“We have some more announcements to make over the coming weeks and sponsorship packages are in demand.
“We only have one space left on the team jersey and training uniforms so any business that wants to snap up the last major sponsorship should contact the club immediately.
“We have limited corporate entertainment packages available at home games so we would encourage businesses to get in quickly.”
Digicel chief executive officer John Mangos said the company was delighted to be involved in growing the professionalism of the country’s number one sport – rugby league.

 

[Foreign Legion]

lets hope that the hunters get a website up and running with there elite marketing team...

 

[Tone83]

I proposed over year ago on these forums that a PNG team should be sponsored by SP, and I said should even have green and yellow as their colours.

Shame about the logo, but will be interested to see the whole uniform.

 

[CQ Italia]

https://www.facebook.com/PNGHuntersSupporter

I've created a "Supporter page" with the page name of PNG Hunters Supporters - The Tribe

I've requested the designer of the middle PNG Hunters logo (the one with the crossed arms & red footy) and another designer of the below logos to design a supporter logo, with the page allowing fans to vote (how it should have been done to begin with with the PNG Hunters logo but 5-6 options)

 

[Hello, I'm The Doctor]

That logo with the black dude is amazing!!!

and the official one is shit...

 

[mikail-eagle]

http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/62723

Halves battle on

Source:
The National, Thursday January 16th, 2014
By JOHN PANGKATANA

THEY are small but big in heart.
Papua New Guinea Hunters quartet Noel John (20), Roger Laka (24), Noel Zeming (24) and Israel Eliab (23) are whom coach Michael Marum is looking to fill the key halves positions for the South Pacific Brewery-sponsored team.
You would never have thought following last year’s Digicel Cup rugby league competition that these four young men would play an instrumental role in PNG’s debut in the Queensland Cup.
With only three weeks away before the first trial match against the Northern Pride in Cairns, these four players are working overtime to secure a starting role. They come from different clubs and were never the top pick for those positions in the make-up for last year’s World Cup.
Whilst Eliab looked to be tailor made for it, was never given a chance and Laka wasn’t given a chance to play in the World Cup.
Both Eliab and Laka have a bone to pick, Zeming is on a roller-coaster ride after starting last season on the wing for the Lahanis and John is an exciting future prospect that just completed Lae Secondary School last year.
Like Eliab, Laka and John, Zeming from Sialum (Morobe) and Nondugl (Jiwaka), who will graduate with an education degree from the University of Goroka, has put a teaching career on hold to commit to the Hunters.
They all agree that they have been given the rare opportunity to play an important role in the team and all agree that the physical demands of the training thus far has made them mentally tougher. They are all young vibrant players that have the capacity to mature at a higher level of football,” Marum said.
“They have two trial matches coming up next month to prove themselves to see how they handle themselves,” Marum said.
“They will be given a chance to start in either match and swap around as we look to cement a working combination,” he added. Marum said it is important that the players are good talkers under pressure and are able to move and direct the big forwards.
“We need players who can call the shots,” he said.
He said Eliab, Laka and Zeming play both six and seven, while John can play those positions as well as dummy-half.

 

[mikail-eagle]

http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/62722


Immortals locked in for launch

Source:
The National, Thursday January 16th, 2014

RUGBY league immortals Wally Lewis and Andrew Johns will be special guests at the Papua New Guinea Hunters’ gala launch next month.

The State of Origin and Australian Legends will appear along with Master of Ceremony and former Manly and Kangaroos star, John Gibbs at the club’s launch in the capital city on February 22.

Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League chief executive officer Brad Tassell said he was expecting a full house at the launch of the South Pacific Brewery-sponsored Hunters as they prepare for their debut in the Queensland Cup competition this year.
“It’s a massive moment in PNG rugby league history and is the last event fans, supporters and sponsors will get to see the team before our opening game against Redcliffe in Brisbane a week later.
“To have two of the greatest rugby league players the world has seen be a part of the event is fantastic for the club, sponsors and the people.

“PNG’s entry into the Queensland Cup has attracted enormous interest in Australia and I know Wally, Andrew and John jumped at the chance to be a part of the launch and are all looking forward them being here. It will be a huge night.” Tassell said all of Hunters players and coaches would be there and they would be auctioning the club’s inaugural jerseys worn in the pre-season trials.

There will be raffles, other major auction pieces, launch of the new club song written performed by local star, Jokema.
He urged businesses to get behind the team and boost their morale before the opening game Redcliffe on March 2.

PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka said they were pleased two immortals of the game had agreed to be at the launch.
“This is an indication of the greater international support and recognition of the initiatives we are undertaking in PNG.
“The PNGRFL and the rugby league fraternity in PNG are excited by the opportunities that the participation of the PNG Hunters will provide for players and officials of the game in PNG.”