Agmark Gurias officials in Buka for rugby 9s tournament

Agmark Gurias Team Manager Mapua Tamtu presents rugby ball and Gurias shirts to Teachers and students of Tilowa Primary School in Selau Constituency (NBC News: Edward Passam)

A team of Agmark Gurias officials are in Bougainville to officiate in the 7th Agmark Perpetual Rugby 9's Tournament, this month.

The tournament will be held this weekend at the Hamatana Primary School sports field on Buka Island.

Led by Team Manager Mapua Tamtu, the officials also include Assistant Coach Oscar Tonga, players William Tirang and Johnson Simon, as well as referees David Misiel and Elliot Wama.

The officials are currently visiting schools in North Bougainville to conduct coaching clinics for students.

The team started their school coaching clinic yesterday at Tsunpets Primary School in Suir Constituency, Doputz Primary School and Siara Primary School in Selau Constituency.

The students were taken through basic rugby skills through drills and exercises on the field.

At Siara Primary School, Mapua Tamtu, the Manager of the Agmark Gurias Rugby Team, challenged the students to practice discipline in order to become excellent rugby players.

"Always decipline yourself and play games with skills, you will go a long way," Tamtu said.

Tilowa Primary School students with their teachers and Agmark Gurias officials (NBC News: Edward Passam)

Siara Primary School Head Teacher, Peter Lingling, expressed his gratitude for the visit by the Agmark Gurias officials to his school.

Today, the officials of Agmark Gurias visited Tiluwa Primary School and Bishop Wade Tarleina Secondary School.

Tomorrow, they will be visiting Sorom Primary School and Hantoa Primary
School.

The Agmark Gurias officials also conducted a referee workshop in Buka Town today, alongside local referees, in preparation for the competition beginning on Friday.