TIGER BLOODS - A FORCE OF DISCIPLINE (Part 1)

By Sylvester Gawi

Lae SNAX Tigers is a team that has built its foundation around commitment to training, discipline and a strong focus on maintaining fitness at the highest level.

The Tigers have been wooden spoon winners during the first two years of their initial establishment into the Digicel cup competition in 2011. Bulk of their players were fresh off the schoolboys pitch and the search for the right playing combinations was what the coaching and management team were looking for.

Under a new management and structure in 2013 was when former Kumul Stanley Tepend was given the role to facilitate a winning formula for the Tigers. The recruitment of Tepend was well complemented with the Tigers among the top finishers in 2013. Bulk of it’s players were also called up the ranks to represent the country in the SP PNG Hunters team over the last two years.

For coach Stanley Tepend, it is all about players who can be physically and mentally fit to remain consistent and focused throughout the game. The services of current PNG Athletics reps Kupun Wisil and Sandy Katusele, the team has grown from strength to strength within three years. The days of Tigers finishing at the bottom of the ladder have been forgone.

After ending two consecutive seasons (2014 & 2015) as minor premiers, the Tigers have also lost the service of many of their key players. Players like Thompson Teteh, Willie Minoga, Justin Olam, Ishamel Balkawa, Atte Bina and Warren Glare were some of their play makers that were selected into the Hunters program.

Nevertheless, the team also welcomed new imports in 2015 and 2016 like Hunters’ defect David Loko, Charlie Simon, Noel Joel, Pasu Awene, to team up with local Lae boys Roy Kela, Bernard Lama, and Sydney Fred to form the nucleus of the team.

A cluster of young schoolboys led by Billy Paul, Anderson Benford, Mafu Kales and former Pukpuks Sevens star Butler Morris have picked up well during the pre-season training.

While some of their current team members have been attending to national duties with the Hunters, the team has maintained consistency so far in the 2016 Digicel cup with a draw and five wins under their belt.

In most of their outing, their fitness have done wonders with the coaching staff ensuring consistency is maintained at every game with the Tigers’ raging attack and a solid defence.

Meanwhile, the team has welcomed a great news this season with the inclusion of their former team mate Justin Olam in the PNG Kumuls team as well as a spot with the Melbourne storms in the National Rugby League.

Olam joins a couple of his Tiger bloods in the likes of Jason Tali, Mark Mexico, Willie Minoga and coach Stanley tepend who have took pride in the red, black and gold by having stints with overseas rugby teams.

I wish the Tigers all the best for this season as they look forward to clinch the premiership for the people of Morobe province.