Rugby match officials, coaches get up skilled

Local rugby coaches and match officials have the opportunity to upgrade their skills and knowledge of the game with IRB coach and match official trainers on the island this week.

IRB regional trainers Talemo Waqa and Elenoa Kunatuba, both from Fiji, will spend a week here on the island to deliver the IRB Level 2 coach and match official courses.

An IRB 7s coaching level 2 course began at the Cook Islands Rugby Union offices in Nikao yesterday and tonight the IRB match official level 2 course will be delivered.

Talemo Waqa has been a teacher for over 20 years including 16 years as a physical education teacher and lecturer at the University of the South Pacific.

Waqa spent time with Tereora College year 12 sports and recreation students teaching them the art of refereeing as the students have been engaging in match official lessons delivered by Cook Islands Rugby Union.

Elenoa Kunatuba, who was the Fiji women’s rugby 7s coach for 9 years, is keen to help support the development of women’s rugby in the Cook Islands.

She will be meeting with key members of the Cook Islands Rugby Union tasked with developing women’s rugby to help give them direction and support to take advantage of the increasing opportunity for women’s rugby.

The pair’s timely arrival coincides with the lead up week to the final day of play in the Corporate 7s which will be held this Saturday at the Titikaveka field.

Koteka says this week both Kunatuba and Waqa will be able to head out to the club rugby fields to assess local coaches as they prepare for the last day of the Corporate 7s and give them further guidance before their assessments.

Saturday’s 7s games will also give the visiting officials a better look into the level of rugby officiating in the Cooks.

There is no doubt that here in the Cook Islands there is a need for more and improved match officiating as well as coaching.

Armchair referees and wannabe coaches are encouraged to make the most of the visiting IRB trainers and if you want to get off the armchair and get on the field – contact Ben Koteka at the Cook Islands Rugby Union office and grab a whistle.