http://www.pngnrlbid.com/index.php?page_id=169
Piece written by Brad Tassel (CEO PNG NRLD BID)
Bid Criticism Uncalled For
I wish to respond to an article which appeared in the National newspaper on Thursday 9th February, 2012. The editorial is ill informed and incorrect and not once has the "unnamed" source or the National contacted myself to actually determine if the story is factual, which is it not. I am aware that certain people within PNG have a vested interest in the game of Rugby League and use the game to further their own financial or political gains while being totally ignorant to what is required for rugby league to develop in PNG. The article which appeared is another example of this and must stop if rugby league is to move forward in PNG.
While I do not normally respond to incorrect and ill informed or in this case ignorant and garbage editorial, I feel in this case it is warranted. It is interesting that the source did not want to be named and this tells me the person either knows he does not have the correct facts or is again using rugby league to try to further his own selfish ambitions.
The editorial ascertains and i quote the unnamed person "backed the stand by Prime Minister Peter O'Neill to withdraw budgetary support for the PNG NRL BID saying it was dictated by self proclaimed sports consultants who were using AusAid funds and the PNG rugby league purse to finance their lavish lifestyle."
FACTS: 1) The PNG NRL BID was funded upfront upon inception so there was never any ongoing funding to be allocated or paid to the BID. All funds are managed professionally in accordance with standard accounting and financial procedures. 2) All management and staff were selected by the BID board under normal procedures and were selected due to extensive experience in their fields to ensure the professional management of the BID at all times. 3) No outside agency, including Ausaid has ever provided funding to the BID. All funding was supplied by the PNG government and all programs the BID manages are paid for entirely from BID finances. No money was ever taken from the PNGRFL who are a separate body, who until recently were run by a separate board and management. 4) To say our staff live a lavish lifestyle is an insult to my staff who work long hours, are dedicated and truely believe in what we are doing. I will use myself as an example - I live in a small 1 bedroom apartment and drive a troop vehicle supplied as part of a sponsorship, which until recently was a shared vehicle. My salary is far less than a CEO would receive in Australia in a similar position and I certainly don't live a lavish lifestyle as anyone who knows me will attest to. I took the job as I truely love rugby league, saw it as a challenge with the chance to build something from scratch and achieve something significant in PNG. All of my staff feel exactly he same way.
The unnamed person also states; "the programme will never be viable after some 16 years. Certainly, there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Our chance to get the nod from the NRL Chief Executive officer PAUL Gallop is literally zero"
FACTS: 1) I doubt this person has ever spoken to the NRL and his ignorance is highlighted in his statement the CEO of the NRL is DAVID GALLOP, not PAUL. 2) I have had several meetings with DAVID Gallop and NRL management and they are very supportive of a PNG team playing in the NRL competition in the future, however like all BIDS we have to meet certain criteria. As an example the Titans took 9 years since launching their BID before they kicked of their first game in the NRL. THE PNG BID must start now in laying the foundations required and meeting criteria step by step and work towards when we are ready for inclusion. We are looking at a similar time frame, however we have the advantage of a rugby league mad nation and booming economy to back up entry into the NRL in future. We are disadvantaged by the poor perception of PNG internationally and the lack of world class facilities. We must however understand this takes time, patience and lobbying. The NRL at this stage has not announced any plans for expansion of the competition and when this may happen, however with the plans we have in place I believe we will be in a strong position in 2015 to start pushing for inclusion.3) There are initiatives underway which we are unable to announce at this time which will make the direction and pathway into the NRL very clear.
The unnamed person also talks about junior development and what should be done, however he neglected to mention that the PNG NRL BID is the ONLY organisation who has implemented a National Rugby League Schools program in 2011, which will be in its second year this year.
FACT: This has been ENTIRELY funded by the BID, without any assistance from the PNGRFL or any funding from AusAid or any outside agencies. The BID has spent over K1 million in setting up, administering and running the program which includes:
1. Provision of insurance cover nationally for participants in the program.
2. Establishment of coaching manual, competition rules and guidelines and code of conduct in both english and Tok Pisin for officials and players
3. Strong participation agreement to ensure ONLY youth who attend school have access to the program. We want to produce not only good footballers, but educated future leaders from the program.
4. Cash funding to four major zones to run schoolboys programs in their own regions including employment of development officers.
5. Distribution of playing equipment to all Zone programs footballs, touch flags, whistles, line markers, caps, tees & polos for officials and teachers etc.
6. Assistance, guidance and advice in running the programs in their respective zones
7. Coach, referee and first aid education courses across the country to upskill and qualify officials.
8. Full funding of Zone Championships for the selection of an U15 & U17 team in each Zone. Selections by a PNG NRL BID panel.
9. Full funding of a National Championships in Lae for U15 &U17 teams in each zones (over 180 players and officials). This included all uniforms, dress polos, all travel, transport and accommodation, all meals, first aid, insurance, security and presentation dinner for champions, players of the carnival and announcement of development squads.
10. Selection of 2 x 20 player development squads from the championships to take part in a BID fully funded development camp in Port Moresby. Provision of a K1,000 scholarship grant to each player for provision of playing and training equipment.
11. Selection of 2 x players and 1 x official to participate in the Brisbane Broncos elite Development Camp in December 2011 fully funded by the BID
12. Participation of the 2 x development squads in an Australian domestic Championship from the 6-8 April, 2012 against NRL junior teams. Entirely funded by the BID.
We are currently investigating and establishing a pathway for youth who come through the program to undertake full time education and football scholarships with an NRL Club which we will announce when finalised.
The BID has also officially applied for entry into the 2013 Queensland Cup (seniors) and expect entry into the Cyril Connell & Mal Meninga Q Cup competitions for U16 & U18 in 2014.
I would like to point out to this unnamed source and the public that the BID is managed professionally, with a focus on implementing strong rugby league programs to benefit the country and lay the foundations for a possible entry into the NRL in the future. This will continue and we like any sporting organisation must attract sponsors to assist in the long term provision of these programs. Our partners in ELA Motors, Coca-Cola, Holiday Inn, The PNG Government, Airlines PNG and the Post Courier assist us in being able to deliver the program long term and we thank them sincerely.
We are working to have by 2013 a strong junior development program, identification of talented youth from the program, placement of these youths in NRL programs, and a strong Q Cup program as a pathway for rugby league players in PNG.
We are also working hard on bringing major sporting events to PNG including the recent Legends of League and a possible pre season NRL trial match in February 2013 for the sole purpose in proving these events can be staged successfully, professionally and without incident. This will gain credibility for PNG as a rudy league nation and start to change the perception of PNG in the eyes of the International rugby league community.
This takes planning, patience and investment to succeed, which is what the BID is delivering.
