PNG coach seeing changes in attitude (Post Courier 18/11/16)

The PNG U20 Womens team during the FIFA U20 Womens World Cup hosted by Papua New Guinea Picture by Post Courier Photographer Mark Talia 

By FIDELIS SUKINA

Papua New Guinea coach Lisa Cole said the girls have grown up.

Despite the erratic start, the team has bonded well together and have shown maturity.

Cole told Post Courier yesterday that despite being from different provinces and having differences in their relationships with each other, they have come together as a team nicely.

“It’s difficult to describe the change and improvement of the team because it’s on so many levels.

“You have what has happen on the field with individual players improving, to

us collectively improving and being more organized as a team is important.

“To us being willing to work together was difficult players came from different backgrounds and at first us becoming a team was difficult, as players from the same area worked together excluding players from other areas.

“Becoming a team that was willing to fight and represent PNG and each other versus their province was a task in the beginning but now we all represent PNG with pride,” she added.

She hopes the team can be maintained for the future of junior development of Soccer in PNG, because it not only has helped the young U20 Women but is also an example for young PNG women.

“The team started to come into camp in February, but we didn’t really get the full staff and group to Goroka until mid-March.

“The team was only put together for the World Cup but my hope is that now that we have made the investment that we continue it.

“The real value in this U20 Womens program is not what these players will do on the field for PNG today but who they have become through the process.

“They are now stronger women, women who will stand up for themselves and for each other. Who will be involved in growing and setting the example for young PNG girls,” Cole said.

Cole said the U20 women could help lead the way in combating violence against women with because they have found value in their representation of the country.

“We talk a ton about Ending Violence and abuse in PNG and I think these young women can help lead the way.

“They now know what is possible, what could be for them if they work hard. They now know that they have value and should be treated with respect.

“They now know that they can and should speak out for themselves, for each other and others. They are strong, fit and have chosen to live a healthy lifestyle. What great role models for the future of PNG,”