25 September 2014

Game on: Students with disabilities enjoy League Bilong Laif program across PNG

The Australian Government’s League Bilong Laif (League for Life) program has kicked off its program for students with disabilities across PNG.

The League Bilong Laif National Development Coordinator and former Kumuls player Nigel Hukula said the program highlighted that rugby league is a game for everyone.

“The program improves education outcomes for girls and boys of all abilities through rugby league and related activities,” Mr Hukula said.

“It was fantastic to see so many smiles on the children’s faces as we provided an opportunity not normally afforded to the students and they just loved it”.

“The Australian National Rugby League (NRL) are excited to roll out the League Bilong Laif program for students with disabilities to other schools across regional centres”.

Staff received specialised training from the Red Cross Special Education Centre and Cheshire Disability Services of Papua New Guinea to prepare for the activities.

The program utilises a range of rugby league themed educational materials that has developed with Macmillan Education Australia such as the Rugby League Reads magazines that encourages healthy lifestyles and boosts students physical, social, literacy and math skills.

20 students with hearing impairments from Red Cross Special Inclusive Education Resource Centre participated in the initial activities day in May including five non-contact and non-competitive rotations that included on field and in classroom activities.

A further 326 students, including 130 with disabilities from Cheshire Disability Services of Papua New Guinea in NCD, Callan Services in East New Britain and Mt Sion Blind Centre in Eastern Highlands recently participated in disability inclusive activity days.

The League Bilong Laif program uses rugby league as a tool to support specific primary school level outcomes in four regions across PNG, with a specific focus on schools and students with disabilities.

The League Bilong Laif program is delivered through a partnership between the Australian Sports Commission, the Australian NRL and the PNG National Department of Education. The PNG Rugby Football League, the University of PNG and the National Sports Institute are key supporters of the program.