Irok Pirates Rugby Union Club's duo to work and play in Australia

Lae’s Irok Pirates Rugby Union Club (IPRUC) has recently sent two of its players, Enoch Tongunia and Bartholomew Patuvii, for overseas placement through the Pacific Labor Mobility (PALM) Scheme.

Irok Pirates created history, becoming the first club in the Morobe Rugby Union (MRU) competition to send two of its players to work and play overseas. The duo will play and work in Australia for four years under the PALM visa. 

Both Enoch & Bartholome will join the Wheatman Rugby Union Club in Dalby, Queensland, during their employment with Empower Pacific (EMPAC), where they will also further develop and enhance their rugby skills.

Former Irok Pirates Vice President and life member, Richard Songake, said it had been a tedious process in preparing the duo’s documentation and meeting the PALM Scheme’s requirements.

“It's been a few years in the making and has been coordinated through the club and its sponsors that are attached to the PALM program,” Songake explained.  

“There was a lot of preparation involved to get the players to be PALM ready - Passports, NID, CV resumes, Police Clearances, etc. Then, the interview and screening processes.

Mr. Songake stressed that the club had prioritized its development pathways over the years by creating opportunities for players and further developing their careers abroad.

“For the club, it’s important that we are showing our players that we have development pathways available for them, both domestically and overseas,” he said.  

“We are just so thrilled to have our Pirates plying their trade overseas and developing their careers whilst playing some overseas rugby. 

“Rugby is a world game, and we are just trying to show our players that there are opportunities through the game to travel overseas.” 

He highlighted that the same opportunity would be given to those who come through the club’s junior development pathway, emphasizing player development through technical trade skills. 

“Our goal is to do the same for other players, but what we need to do better in PNG to prepare our players for such opportunities,” Songake said.

“For Enoch and Bart, they could have travelled down a lot sooner had they had some basic skills and qualifications, such as trades-related skills. 

“So, what we now know is that for rugby union to capitalize on this opportunity, we must help our players get access to TVET colleges or training schools (plant and equipment) so that they are more attractive to overseas employers.” 

He added that what the Pirates did will have a ripple effect in Morobe Rugby Union, encouraging other clubs to create similar pathways for their players.

“We are encouraging other clubs to also participate in this program by putting forward their players who will be suitable candidates to apply,” he said.

“But it’s more than just football; it’s also about their social skills, professional ability, and maturity. 

“We need to select good people who will be able to represent the Morobe people in a good way. And this is where they need to demonstrate this to us through their actions on and off the field.”

In a press statement, the Irok Rugby Union Club confirmed the successful placement of the duo and congratulated them on their stay in Down Under.

“The Irok Services Pirates Rugby Union Club together with its players, executives, and wider community stakeholders, proudly congratulates Enoch Tongunia and Bartholome Patuvii on their successful selection as the first participants from both the club and the MRU community to join the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme,” it read.

“On behalf of the entire Irok Pirates Rugby Union Club and its community, we wish Enoch and Bartholome every success as they embark on this important journey.   

“May they represent the club and Morobe with pride, and return with valuable experience to inspire others. Go with the full armor of God, Shipmates."

The freebooters acknowledged the support of their major sponsor and those who have stood behind them in making this overseas placement possible for both Enoch and Bartholomew.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to the club’s premium sponsor, Mr. Michael Chan & Irok Services, TWM Group, and other supporting club sponsors for their invaluable support in investing in the club and making this opportunity possible for the two players,” it said.

The PALM Scheme is an Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Papua New Guinea Government initiative that provides eligible workers from Pacific Island nations, including PNG, with short-term seasonal and long-term employment in regional Australia.

The Irok Pirates Club, through its sponsor, deals with the PALM program in Australia. Empower Pacific is Australian-based. It liaises with the TWM Group and Irok Services.