Sponsorships

For some years now, two GRM projects have sponsored local sports teams in the communities in which they work.

New Look Green Berets - RAMSI Corrections Component

Sporting a new uniform, the Green Berets rugby team are set to out dress their rivals.

New jerseys were provided by the Corrections component of the RAMSI Law and Justice Program in an occasion lead by Martin Grandelis, Corrections Team Leader on 12 June.

The president of the Green Berets, Eddie Afia, accepted the 20 donated jerseys on behalf of the team composed of Solomon Islands Correctional Service Officers and a few RAMSI advisers.

Previously, the rugby team had been borrowing uniforms for their sporting matches. In receipt of the gold and green jerseys, Afia mentioned that the new jerseys will boost the spirit and morale of players, and expressed his appreciation on the assistance provided by the GRM Corrections Component.

Representing the Corrections component, Grandelis described that, “the handing over today is a positive example to communities on how we should support our sport”.

The Green Berets will be competing in the Silent World rugby competition in Honiara.

Egala A’una ('Coconut Men') - Cricket Team, Papua New Guinea

GRM through PATTAF (Papua New Guinea - Australia Targeted Training Facility) sponsored the Egala A’una (translated means Coconut Men) Village Cricket Team in the Central Province cricket tournament being played in October 2006.

The sponsorship came about through PATTAF staff member, Ross Vagi. Ross is the team captain and strike bowler. He is also an accomplished leg spinner, having represented PNG at the last world cup.

GRM Crusaders - Rugby Union Team, Papua New Guinea

GRM's PATTAF (Papua New Guinea Australia Targeted Training Facility) project has been supporting the Port Moresby Crusaders since 2001.

Report from the team for 2006:

The GRM Crusaders' close association with PATTAF continued, and PATTAF staff member, Terrence Ua, signed up to play with the club. The 2006 season of the Port Moresby Rugby Union Football Association and the GRM Crusaders Club, had mixed results.

The A grade team started their campaign well, with a memorable victory over the well drilled Brothers team. At half time the boys were down 10-0, and it took an inspirational speech by the coach Peter Sarea (a one time representative player who had a stint with the famous Randwick Rugby Club in the early eighties) to "turn the tables around". With some enterprising football from the boys, they came from behind and ran out winners, 17-15. The good start to the season was not maintained, with heartbreaking losses to Southern Chiefs and Taurama Diggers. Outside centre, Boudy Kitawa, played consistently in all three games and proved to be a handful for opposing teams.

The Under 19’s were also off to a slow start. Inconsistencies saw them at 1 draw, 1 loss, and 1 win. Their stand out performer was Gore Gerega. The kid had a massive boot on him; his raking kicks gave the team an excellent field position but they weren't able to convert them into points.

The B grade was definitely the shining star for the club, with a hat trick of wins that saw them sitting at the top for part of the season. Fullback Madi Ora proved valuable to the team. He was the club's leading points scorer. His ability to break the line and determination in finding the line saw him take out player of the match on two occasions.

The club had a successful fund-raising night at the Ela Beach hotel during the Crusaders v Brumbies Super 14 match on Friday 12 May. The club managed to raise over 2000 Kina. The money was used to pay for the club's registration and insurance for the next two years. Thanks went to the Canterbury Crusaders Super 14 Franchise who donated a top, signed by the team, and Computer Associates who donated a Brumbies' jersey and other Brumbies' supporter's clothing. Special thanks went to Graham Osbourne and Danny Khasir from the Ela Beach hotel for their assistance.

GRM Hurricanes - Basketball Team, Solomon Islands

GRM has sponsored the "Hurricanes" basketball team since 2001 through the RAMSI Law & Justice Program.

The Hurricanes are one of the leading teams in their division, which is no small feat given that most team members have hearing and speaking impairments or other physical disabilities.

Hurricanes Coach, Nina Davis, said the sponsorship had not only directly helped the team participate in sports, but had also helped raise awareness of people with disabilities in the Solomon Islands, so that they could more fully participate in the broader community.

GRM recently donated a range of sporting equipment to the Hurricanes, which will enable the club to expand into other sports including rugby, soccer, tennis and athletics.