OFC Coach/Mentor for Papua New Guinea Mike Keeney, who is also acting manager at the academy, says after being postponed twice the trials were eventually held for U-17 and U-15 players.
“We had players from seven different schools from Lae and set up matches between the school teams,” Keeney says.
The teams were 7v7 plus goalkeepers with each team playing three to four matches. Matches were two 20 minute halves with a five minute break.
“Elite Academy staff evaluated the players while local teachers or sports masters were coaching the teams. The school staff were also the ones who had selected the best players to represent their schools at the trials.
“A total of 110 players were part of the U-17 trial and 100 players were part of the U-15 trial. The goal was to identify the initial group of players for the start of the academy.”
Keeney worked with PNGFA staff and the Lae Sports Council to secure the use of the city’s field for the trial, though following the official opening of the Elite Sports Academy on 24 September all trainings will take place on site.
Since his arrival in Papua New Guinea, Keeney has been charged with getting the academy up-and-running, based on the Asia Pacific Football Academy model.
“I have been in steady contact with APFA and Director of Football Giovani Fernandes about the process of using the APFA model here in Papua New Guinea,” he says.
“We are using it as a template or guideline, but there are a different set of challenges here than there are in Christchurch, New Zealand.
“But, all in all, I feel that we are making steady progress. Once the academy is up-and-running we will be continuing the trial
process throughout the year in order to identify the top talent in PNG.”
The grand opening of the Elite Player Academy in Lae is scheduled for 24 September. PNGFA will announce the name of the principal sponsor for the academy on the same day.

Share