Netball's Own Gym Opens in Port Moresby

In a quiet ceremony at the Rita Flynn Courts this morning, his Excellency, the Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Mr Ian Kemish AM, formally opened a long awaited gym facility for netballers in PNG.

Built into the current changing facilities at the courts, the new section which has cost some AUD$10,000 to kit out, has a selection of brand new gym and weight training equipment especially for netball.

His Excellency, Mr Kemish AM and Pole Kassman, President of POMNA

at the official opening of the gym

Speeches at the official opening of the gym

The cutting of the ribbon with Mrs Emily Taule, President of the PNGNF,

His Excellency, Mr Kemish AM and Mrs Pole Kassman, President of POMNA

A view of part of the installed equipment in the

new gym facility

The new facility removes the need to cohabit other gyms in the city whenever weight training is required and allows for exclusive, uninterrupted use by the netball fraternity.  In terms of how it aids the Pepe's in their training programs, an obviously happy Mona-Lisa Leka said openly, "We have been waiting for something like this for a long time"

The opening was attended by several of the Pepe's including current captain Mona Lisa Leka, presidents of the PSNA, PCNC and Central Netball Associations, Emily Taule the President of the PNGNF and Pole Kasmann, President of the POMNA and custodian in of the Rita Flyn facilities.  Also in attendance was a full contingent of the media, which was wonderful to see.

Roxanne Martens wife of the High Commissioner (centre) and Simon Fellows 

of the Australian high Commission,

Mona-Lisa Leka (left) Lynette Maha and Carolyne Genaia

In his speech Mr Kemish spoke of how strong an influence sports had in building communities and society and commended netball for taking this opportunity to improve facilities for their code.  His familiarity with the sport was obvious having two daughter of his own that play netball in Australia.  His Excellency's wife, Roxanne Martens who was also at the opening also commended the program and the virtues of having good equipment in the development of any sport.  It was a program she was obviously comfortable with and was happy to mingle with the netball executives after the opening.

Pole Kassman, in responding to the Mr Kemish extended the appreciation on behalf of all netballers to the Australian Government for the assistance and assured him of its safekeeping.

Mr Kemish has had a long association with Papua New Guinea and spoke pidgin fluently much to the delight of those present.  Mr Kemish as a boy went to school at the Korobosea Primary School in Port Moresby. The tale gets even stranger when he found out recently that he was in the same grade as Mike Petrides at Korobosea.

Mrs Emily Taule, President of PNGNF and Mrs Hitolo Moka

discuss a point with the High Comissioner and his wife.

Mr Kemish shares a moment with Mike Petrides and

Mrs Hitolo Moka.

Mike Petrides has been the driving force behind the new facilities and has worked tirelessly to arrange for the importation of the equipment, the refurbishments and fit-out.

Trying out the gym gear

The refurbishment and fit-out program is the second of two Australian Government funded projects provided to netball recently under the Australian Sports Outreach Program (ASOP). The first was in November last year with the facilitation of a five day Advanced Netball Coaching and Umpiring Clinic. Highly sought Australian netball personalities were invited to conduct the clinics in Port Moresby including Patti Farrell a celebrated level 3 Australian accredited coach, who conducted the coaching clinic and Louise McMeeking who is an All Australia Endorsed Umpire, conducted the umpires clinic.

The opening of the gym facility coincides with other activities celebrating "Australia Week" which started yesterday and goes on till Sunday.

All enquiries regarding the gym and the use of it should be directed to Mrs Pole Kassman.