Tokarara Nest united a team changing lives (Post Courier 20/12/16)

Tokarara Nest United with Coach Nelson Stone before their match against Giluwe Trotters in the A grade Division of the Hohola Offseason league

By FIDELIS SUKINA

More than just Rugby is a phrase that matches a team of young men that are changing their ways and playing the game they love.

The Tokarar Nest United team in their first year in the Hohola Offseason Rugby Leauge Competition boasts a lot of up and coming talent in the sport of rugby league and their coach Nelson Stone is one that is harnessing the talent.

Stone who is PNGs 200m Pacific Games Gold Medalist is a sprinter that has the positive attitude and the heart to use the sport of rugby league to help change the lives of youths in his area.

“First I was leading the Tokarara Mix Dogs but again there were still too many youths who wanted to play the game but didn’t have the chance.

“So last year I decided to create the Tokarara Nest United and the team is made up of youths that who have been looking for a better path in life,” Stone said.

The players are from Maria Street in Tokarara dubbed as a notorious street Stone and the members of nest united are changing the mind sets of the community and the city at large.

“I decided to get them under my wing and they have been under me for almost three months now and people are seeing changes our street in Tokarara is deemed notorious but now there is a steady decline in social disturbance like consumption of alcohol and noise and violence it has been three months like I said and only on rare occasions we see minor incidences but that is on the decline as well.

“All the people that use to cause the problems have now come on board and are contributing to the Tokarara Nest United Club.

“All the parents are impressed, I don’t give money to get outcomes or anything it’s all about working together and I really choose my words carefully to inspire these young men and that has changed a lot of mindsets and that has changed a lot of their mind sets and look they are really enjoying their rugby”, Stone said

Stone added that rugby league was a great tool to bring youths together and help the community and change their attitudes in society.

“It’s not only I wanted a rugby league team but rugby league is a powerful tool in the country as a national sport and it brings communities together and to experience what it takes to be a better person being a better person sports can do that.

“Bringing them in a rugby league competition not only that but I am seeing a lot of good sprinters and some other talents are being unearthed and I am very proud of that, but all in all its about getting the youths out of the bad activities,” Stone said.