Team: ATW Eagles
Unit Base: Port Moresby
THE ATW Eagles are catching up on their training sessions after completing their Unit Anniversary a month away from the Commander’s Cup Challenge.
They lost to 1RIPR in the previous tournament in Lae; however they say they are looking forward to their first match.
Q & A with Goldie Warriors
Q: Tell us about yourself and what your role is in preparing the ATW Eagles for the Commander’s Cup in less than a week from today?
A: I am Selan Elijah and my role is Team Manager. I am responsible for preparing the ATW Eagles for this year’s Commander’s Cup challenge.
Q: Have you taken part in the previous Commander’s Cup Competition?
A: Yes. I was a soccer player before. But now that I am in the army, I have to play rugby. I had played 7s, in all PNGDF 7s Tournaments.
The Commander’s Cup started in Lae at the Igam Barracks, and I played for ATW Eagles. I was a private soldier when I first took part in the competition.
The Commander’s Cup Challenge was started when Commodore Peter IIau was the Commander in 2001 or 2002. However, I have not played in the 10s or 15s tournament, just the 7s.
Q: Tell us about the functions of the Air Transport Wing and its role in supporting the PNGDF.
A: The role or function of the Air Transport Wing is to provide safe and effective air mobility and support PNGDF, its agencies and importantly the people of Papua New Guinea.
We provide support in Humanitarian Assistance also and other functions that are required of us by the PNG Government.
In relation to the Commander’s Cup Tournament, ATW will be the unit responsible for the movement of players and officials to where the games are played.
We have done that in previous tournaments held in Wewak, Manus and in Lae. We provide Air Support.
Q: How are preparations going so far for the ATW Eagles?
A: We started training not long ago and the reason is because the unit was involved in a number of activities from March to July. We also just celebrated our Unit Anniversary on the 12th of August, and we started training on the 19th of August.
We would have three to four weeks of training before the competition, but the players are picking up after all these activities. I am encouraging the boys to be committed to training, and we should be ready when the tournament begins on the 14th of September.
Q: Is there a particular Unit ATW is looking forward to challenging?
A: No, we are not eyeing a particular Unit, but we are looking at all the 9 units. Whichever teams that will be in our pool, those would be our rivals, and we will want to take them down.
So, No one particular rival team.
Any team that we are lined up to play against in the knockouts, the semifinals and the finals will be our rivalry team.
Q: Tell us about the Unit colour for the ATW Eagles.
Yes, the Unit Colour is sky blue and navy blue. Our sportswear will be navy blue while our jersey is sky blue. It represents the colour of the sky. When you look up to the sky, the sky-blue colour and navy blue is always in the background.
Q: In the 2023 Commander’s Cup Challenge, who did ATW lose to?
A: The boys played very well in 2023. They finished in 4th place after we lost to 1RPIR in the semifinals.
Q: What is the best part of the Commander’s Cup?
A: We represent our unit and the best part would be having pride for our unit.
Q: What is something that only the Commander’s Cup Challenge brings to all members of the PNGDF?
A: When we joined the army, the first friendships, brotherhood and comradeship were formed at Goldie when we went for the recruitment training. For the commissioned officers, it was at Igam Barracks.
But after Goldie and Igam, we were posted to different units, we were separated. So the Commander’s Cup brings us together after working in different units for many years. A unique aspect of the Commander’s Cup is it builds the esprit de corps.
Q: What kind of additional support does ATW need in its final preparations towards the Commander’s Cup?
A: ATW needs financial support. We do have our Regimental Funds, but it is limited and we would like to welcome the support from any business houses or other sponsors.
We will not be doing major fundraising because we are a few weeks away from the games. Our focus will now be on the games
Q: What is your final comment?
A: Yes, I want to say all the best to all the units, play hard for your units, socialize and may the best team win.
