'It's going to open a lot of doors': Olam backs PNG pathways plan
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Kumuls legend Justin Olam has backed the development pathways being created in Papua New Guinea to provide opportunities for talented youngsters to follow him to the NRL.
Olam, who made the transition from the local PNG competition to the Hunters in the Queensland Cup before being signed by Melbourne Storm in 2017, recently returned to Papua New Guinea in an ambassador role.
A household name and one of the most recognisable faces in PNG because of his feats for the Storm and Kumuls, Olam visited schools and junior clubs, took part in coaching sessions and attended a Voice Against Violence workshop.
“It was a chance for me to see what the PNG NRL are doing in PNG with grassroots footy and how they are setting up in schools,” Olam said.
“I think they are starting to establish the plans for how they want to go about doing things. They are trying to reach some rural areas as well, and I think that is where they need to be going so if they do that it should be good.”
The 2020 premiership winning centre believes there is more than enough talent in Papua New Guinea for the PNG team entering the Telstra Premiership in 2028.
However, the rugby league-mad nation has never had a genuine pathways structure for players to transition from grassroots to the NRL.
However, that is now changing with the backing of the Australian Government and the ARLC’s decision to introduce a PNG team to the NRL.
A National Youth Competition was recently launched, while the PNG Women’s Santos Cup is in its second year and already producing talent for the Orchids.
Olam said that without structured pathways talented juniors had to rely on pure luck and natural ability to be scouted by an NRL club.
“For me the bigger picture is the pathways,” Olam said. “I think the important thing is for the young kids to have a proper pathway.
“Hopefully with the development of grassroots football it should open more doors and give the young kids a concrete pathway to follow where they can see where they are going and where they are headed, instead of just playing local league and hoping that they get picked.
“If there is a proper pathway then NRL teams can go in and see young potential and it is going to open a lot of doors, not just to play for the PNG NRL team, but to play for other teams in the NRL and Super League.
Justin Olam: PNG superstar
“It is not just going to happen overnight, it will take a bit of time but if they progress according to their plan, I think it will definitely be really good thing for the game.”
After nine seasons in the NRL with the Storm and Wests Tigers before being forced into retirement earlier this year, Olam is keen to give back to the game in PNG and help the nation’s youth achieve their potential.
“I want to inspire the kids and show them that I am just like one of them and if I can do it, they can as well,” he said.
"That’s not just rugby league and for both boys and girls, the broader picture is to inspire them to be whatever they want to be.
“While you are young put that hard work and commitment and discipline into your skill set, be the best at what you want to do and basically compete with the rest of the world.
“Part of my role here is to help the PNG NRL and PNG RFL to drive the message and also to help parents and past players and people who have the love for the game to understand that the kids have dreams and goals, and we have got to support them in whatever we can.
“I just want to give a better life and opportunities to our young ones.”
