NEWSPAGE 15 April
2011

(Photo: New Zealand Defence Force)

NEW ZEALAND: Te Mana O Te Moana 2011/2012 Pacific vaka voyage

(Photo: International Rugby Board)

SAMOA: Samoa U20s eager to bounce back
Source: International Rugby Board Press Release

The pain of being relegated from the IRB Junior World Championship after failing to win a single match last year is still raw for Samoa and head coach John Schuster knows the only way to banish it is to earn an immediate return to the top tier.

For Samoa to do this they must win the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2011, which takes place in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi from 24 May to 5 June, to regain their place alongside the elite nations at Under 20 level in the 2012 Championship in South Africa.

"It's a huge blow and a major disappointment for everyone concerned and the only outcome for us this year is to win promotion to the top tier for 2012," admitted Schuster. "In doing so, we have to win the JWRT as it is only the winner of this tournament that gets promoted."

Schuster, though, knows that achieving this target of promotion is not a given with the other seven sides all harbouring the same ambition, but with hard work and dedication then Samoa have the potential to succeed Italy as champions.

"What is expected from the management and players is to be totally focused on the process and not just the outcome. I do believe if we can get the process right the outcome will take care of itself.


Hard work the key

"We know what we want to achieve but it's perfecting the why, when and the how that will get us there and the only way to achieve this is for the group to collectively work hard at improving their respective roles and responsibilities.

"There is no substitute for hard work."

Schuster is joined on the management team by former Samoa captain Peter Fatialofa and Selefuti Patu, who recently acted as Samoa A's assistant coach during their runners up finish in the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup 2011.

"I'm very pleased with the include of Fatialofa and Patu to our coaching staff, between them they possess a wealth of experience that will no doubt aid our campaign a great deal. Their inclusion provides us with the right balance in our coaching team in all areas of the Game."

Samoa are the top seeds for the Trophy and will face Russia, 2008 champions Uruguay and USA in Pool A. The pool winner will progress to the final to face the top side in Pool B, which features 2010 runners up Japan, hosts Georgia, Canada and Zimbabwe.

The Junior World Rugby Trophy 2011 champion will replace the side finishing bottom in this year's Junior World Championship, which is being played in the Veneto region of Italy from 10-26 June.

Photo Caption: Samoa were relegated to the Trophy after losing to Tonga in the 11th place play-off in Argentina last year.
 

(Photo: Australia-Pacific Technical College)

AUSTRALIA: "An opportunity to repay," says CPC Allan Kae
Source: Australia-Pacific Technical College

Mr Allan Kae sees his new role as Country Program Coordinator at the APTC Campus in Papua New Guinea, as an opportunity to repay the College and the Australian Government for the knowledge he acquired while training in Fiji for his Certificate IV in Hospitality.

"I am enthusiastic with my new role as a Country Program Coordinator. APTC and the Australian Government have built a bridge that I have crossed over," said Mr Kae. "I will market APTC to all young Papua New Guinean's who have aspirations."

Prior to this appointment, Mr Kae was employed as Camp Administrator for Eurest Catering & Service in the CCJV-LNG Highland Highway Up Stream Project in Mendi Southern Highland Province. He said that while there, he shared his new skills and talked to local youth about APTC and working with passion.

When the CPC position was advertised, his employer encouraged him to apply.

Mr Kae brings a strong background in catering, hospitality and office administration to his new employment.

Photo Caption: CPC Allan Kae at work in the PNG APTC office.
 

(Photo: Oceania Football Confederation)

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Minister of Sport backs Papua New Guinea team
Source: Oceania Football Confederation Press Release

The nation's government has shown its support for the Papua New Guinea U-20 side by donating PGK 40,000 to assist in the team's preparations for the OFC U-20 Championship, which takes place from April 21 to 29 at Auckland's Centre Park.

The Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) appealed to the government for support and Sports Minister Philemon Embel was quick to respond, taking to the task and raising the funds within two weeks.

He handed over the cheque to delighted PNGFA Senior Vice-President John Kapi Natto at a press conference earlier this month ahead of the squad's two-week camp before their departure to New Zealand.

In presenting the money, Minister Embel acknowledged the support of the National Executive Council, PNG Sports Foundation and the Ministry of Sports for contributing PGK 10,000 each to the donated total.

He says he is impressed with how football has been developed and managed in the country and is pleased to be able to help the U-20 squad members in their preparations.

In return, Kapi Natto acknowledged and thanked Minister of Sport Embel and Sports Foundation CEO Iamo Launa for their generous support.

He says PNGFA plan to place a development team made up of U-20 players in the National Soccer League in future years.

"Those players would then hopefully go on to become national players for the Papua New Guinea senior team," Kapi Natto says. "We would like to start building that trend."

He says the association also aims to develop the country's U-15 and U-17 national sides so as much young talent as possible is coming through the ranks.

The Papua New Guinea team leaves for Auckland on April 17 and will play its first match of the OFC U-20 Championship against Fiji on April 21.

Papua new Guinea have also been drawn to meet American Samoa and Vanuatu in Group A of the tournament. The three-team Group B features Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and New Zealand.

The winner of the tournament will go on to represent Oceania at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia during July and August.

For more on Papua New Guinea football go to www.pngfootball.com.pg
 

(Photo: Solomon Star)

SOLOMON ISLANDS: 110 scholarships for Kolombangara students
Source: Solomon Star

Kolombangara Island Biodiversity Conservation Association, KIBCA, yesterday announced it has awarded a record number of educational scholarships totaling $94,000 to 110 children of Indigenous Kolombangarans.

These scholarship reward landholders for not logging above 400m altitude on Kolombangara Island.

“This is the third year of the popular scholarship scheme. We are pleased that we have increased the total amount available by 54 percent compared to last year,” said Mr Ferguson Vaghi, KIBCA Coordinator.

“In 2010 only $61,000 was offered, while $40,000 was offered in 2009.”

“These scholarships make a real difference for parents struggling to pay school fees. Many parents were able to send their child to school because of the scholarships.”

He said this month KIBCA awarded 44 university and vocational colleges scholarships, 22 Form 6 and 7 scholarships and 44 Form 4 and 5 scholarships.

Principal of Ringgi Community High School, Herman Aruhane, where 10 students received scholarships, said, “parents must understand the important role that they are playing for Kolombangara Island. The school acknowledged the work of KIBCA for the third year in helping Ringgi CHS relieve the burden of parents.”

Ryan Aquila, Director of Gizo Institute of Electrical and Technology Studies, also praised the KIBCA scheme.

Four of his 58 students doing electrical studies received a KIBCA scholarship.

Fulton College in Fiji, with four students with scholarships said, “We sincerely appreciate the help and this will certainly boost the students’ morale in their work”.

KIBCA received 129 applications and awarded scholarships to all 110 valid applications.

Mr Vaghi said, “many landholders are tempted to break their agreement not to log above 400m altitude.”

“Landholders on Kolombangara Island have a clear choice. They can either protect the sensitive forests above 400m in a conservation area and support their children’s education or they can log above 400m and lose the scholarship program.”

KIBCA has started making scholarship payments and will distribute all the funds once each school confirms to KIBCA the enrolment details of students.

KIBCA thanks the donors that funded this year’s scholarship program, including SICCP (funded by the American Museum of Natural History), KFPL and 16 private donors from overseas.
 

WORLDWIDE: Pacific governments begin discussions on access to climate finance
Source: United Nations Development Programme Press Release

Relating international discussion on climate change and climate finance to Pacific realities and finding a strong Pacific voice for the region’s expectations in international climate negotiations were amongst the major issues discussed today at a meeting in Palau.

The Pacific National Stakeholders Meeting on Climate Financing that is currently underway in Palau is organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and attended by representatives of ten Pacific governments and regional agencies and civil society organizations.

The Vice President of Palau and Minister of Finance, Hon. Kerai Mariur officially opened the meeting and highlighted the region’s vulnerability to climate change.

“Climate change impacts our lives and livelihoods as many struggle daily to recover from the adverse effects of salt-water intrusion to taro patches and declining fish stocks and impact our food production. The risks of extreme weather conditions inflict widespread economic losses,” said Hon Mariur.

He emphasised the importance of relating international discourse on climate change and climate finance to our Pacific realities.

“We hope to hear from UNDP experts and each other about the current climate change adaptation approaches in the Pacific, best practices as well as international gaps which prevent better access to and optimum utilization of climate,” he said.

UNDP Deputy Representative, Toily Kurbanov said the meeting was an opportunity to consult with Pacific Island countries on their concerns and priorities on pertinent issues of climate change and how UNDP could work together with them.

He said that UNDP and Pacific Island Countries have been working together for many years on climate change and their partnership ranges from pilot interventions at the community level, aiming to cope with immediate impacts of climate change, to more long term efforts in policy design or renewable energy initiatives.

“As we look into the years ahead, it is clear that national systems and capacities must be strengthened significantly in order to ensure adequate response to the challenges of climate change adaptations. This will help ensure the Pacific Island countries maintain on the path to sustainable development and to strengthen the resilience of Pacific communities. Pacific Island Forum Leaders at their meeting in Port Vila in August 2010, emphasized the importance of addressing country capacity to tap the significant climate finances that have been promised and to ensure effective utilization of those funds to facilitate climate change adaptation and mitigation,” said Mr Kurbanov.

He said that strengthening national institutions is the key to stronger and more sustainable results in any area of development, including climate change adaptation and climate financing.

The meeting which is attended by senior government officials from the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Tonga and Vanuatu as well as representatives of regional agencies and civil society organizations, ends today.