Junior Kangaroos lend a hand
16 October 2003
Following their closely fought 22-18 win against Papua New Guinea in Darwin on Wednesday, the Junior Kangaroos will travel to Port Moresby for the return match against the Kumuls on Sunday, October 19.
Anyone who has travelled to PNG will tell you that rugby league holds a passion for the PNG people that is unrivalled elsewhere in the world.
As well as promoting the game of rugby league two of the players - captain Greg Bird from Cronulla and Melbourne Storm's Ryan Hoffman - will be extending their stay to visit some of the projects funded though Caritas Australia.
"We're really looking forward to the game. None of the boys have experienced the conditions we'll be playing in, so it's exciting and a real challenge," said Greg Bird.
"And we've heard from a lot of people just how passionate the Papua New Guinean people are about the game, which makes it even better," he said.
Following the Test, the players will be visiting schools and conducting coaching clinics with local PNG students as part of a Caritas Australia supported trip.
The players will also visit health and community projects supported by Caritas in Madang and Rabaul.
Caritas Australia is the Catholic aid and development agency. It distributes around $14 million worth of funds throughout the world for aid and development each year. It raises funds through Project Compassion, a fundraising activity held each year during Lent.
"As an old St Gregory's Campbelltown student I know the good work that Project Compassion does. When we heard we had an opportunity to combine football with something as positive as this, we were really keen," said Ryan.
Hoffman also received advice from his Storm teammate and PNG legend Marcus Bai before departing on the tour.
"Marcus told me the importance of rugby league for the people and how trips like this can inspire the young kids in particular," he said.
Bird and Hoffman will maintain the strong tradition of friendship that has seen the likes of Brad Fittler and Marcus Bai use their profile to help worthwhile causes in PNG.
http://www.nrl.com.au/news.cfm?ArticleID=7388
Good to see Birdy getting in there and helping out ;-)
16 October 2003
Following their closely fought 22-18 win against Papua New Guinea in Darwin on Wednesday, the Junior Kangaroos will travel to Port Moresby for the return match against the Kumuls on Sunday, October 19.
Anyone who has travelled to PNG will tell you that rugby league holds a passion for the PNG people that is unrivalled elsewhere in the world.
As well as promoting the game of rugby league two of the players - captain Greg Bird from Cronulla and Melbourne Storm's Ryan Hoffman - will be extending their stay to visit some of the projects funded though Caritas Australia.
"We're really looking forward to the game. None of the boys have experienced the conditions we'll be playing in, so it's exciting and a real challenge," said Greg Bird.
"And we've heard from a lot of people just how passionate the Papua New Guinean people are about the game, which makes it even better," he said.
Following the Test, the players will be visiting schools and conducting coaching clinics with local PNG students as part of a Caritas Australia supported trip.
The players will also visit health and community projects supported by Caritas in Madang and Rabaul.
Caritas Australia is the Catholic aid and development agency. It distributes around $14 million worth of funds throughout the world for aid and development each year. It raises funds through Project Compassion, a fundraising activity held each year during Lent.
"As an old St Gregory's Campbelltown student I know the good work that Project Compassion does. When we heard we had an opportunity to combine football with something as positive as this, we were really keen," said Ryan.
Hoffman also received advice from his Storm teammate and PNG legend Marcus Bai before departing on the tour.
"Marcus told me the importance of rugby league for the people and how trips like this can inspire the young kids in particular," he said.
Bird and Hoffman will maintain the strong tradition of friendship that has seen the likes of Brad Fittler and Marcus Bai use their profile to help worthwhile causes in PNG.
http://www.nrl.com.au/news.cfm?ArticleID=7388
Good to see Birdy getting in there and helping out ;-)
...nice to know theres a few positions covered if need be.....AND as I type Sterlo just gives him a rap.........hope its not the mocka :shock:
