Tom and Marlyn Simpson were supposed to have retired
to La Paz beach in San Narciso, Zambales. But instead they’ve been
laying the foundations for Rugby League the “Greatest Game of All” at
this picturesque fishing town in the Philippines.
Working when you have supposed to have retired has
infected other members of the Philippines National Rugby League (PNRL)
board. With PNRL board member Chris Van Putten also working whilst
supposedly on holidays with his wife to the Philippines, by giving Tom a
helping hand, with the following report on his contribution:
On Thursday, July 4, I had the pleasure of attending a training session with a group of cadets at the Philippine
Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) in San Narciso, Zambales. PNRL Board
member and Development Officer Tom Simpson runs training sessions here
three times a week, in order to give as many cadets as possible, a
chance to participate. For this session, 35 players attended, a number
well past my expectations!
Tom, assisted by trainee coaches Edmond Brocoy
and Harold Aguilo, put the cadets through a number of skills sessions,
utilising balls and equipment donated by the Rugby League International
Federation(RLIF) from Australia, and other improvised items, like bamboo
and robe step ladders, and pvc pipes with concrete bases and metal rods
as agility poles.
Although many of the cadets were only there for
their first or second session, it is already evident the basic skills
are present, and I am confident they will develop into skilled Rugby
League players. Living and studying in a highly disciplined environment,
the cadets clearly enjoyed the opportunity to let their (extremely
short) hair down, and enjoy the friendships that are the basis of the
“Greatest Game Of All”, in the world.
While Edmond and Harold will receive
accreditation as level 1 Rugby League coaches later in the year, they
will be extremely busy. Their commitment is to be applauded, with both
of them taking unpaid time off from their jobs.
On Sunday July 7, I attended a training session
for the local junior club Tom and his wife Marlyn have setup in La Paz
beach, San Narciso. I watched the under-8’, 10’s and 12’s have fun on
the beach, again under the guidance of Tom, Edmond and Harold. Most of
the mothers who were watching had more fun than the players themselves!
There were about 25 kids, some arriving several hours before the
scheduled session time. Training actually had to be postponed a bit, as
the sandy beach was just too hot to walk on!
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