Yesterday afternoon the Bungy Rookies Rugby Union Club met “Headhunter” Stanley Nandex. The Bungy Rookies a group of local street boys that have come together and formed a rugby union club and Stanley Nandex also known as the “Headhunter”, a Papua New Guinean and world champion kickboxer.
Kickboxing is a sport in Papua New Guinea which is fast gaining momentum and in my view the local boys and girls of course are looking at an enormous potential and could quite easily put Papua New Guinea, once and for all, on the kickboxing wordl map. Stanley Nandex has and continues to contribute to this martial art in Papua New Guinea and in my view he is one of those rare Papua New Guineans that despite having gained status, success and recognition commits his time and energy to giving something back to the community by helping the younger generation find some meaning to what is otherwise a very confusing, difficult and turbulent existence.
We had invited our friend Angela and her partner Stanley to come over for dinner and I decided to ask them to come earlier so that Stanley Nandex could meet and talk a little time with the Bungy Rookies. The setup was a surprise the boys and it went down very well. Stanley spoke about discipline, training and diet amongst other things - there was also time at the end for the boys to ask Mr Nandex some questions.
This is the third week in a row that I have met with the boys after their Wednesday afternoon training session. So far so good and we are all hoping that when they walk out on that field come October that these Wednesday afternoon sessions will contribute in some way towards giving them a slight edge over their opponents. There’s a feeling growing within that it would be a buzz to see the Bungy Rookies do well when they hit the field in a couple of months time.
The Headhunter Stanley Nandex winning a fight back in 2003
And here’s some photos we took yesterday afternoon of Stanley and the Bungy Rookies - note that due to the time of day the light was playing silly buggers and some of the photos aren’t all that clear - the rest of the photos of Stanley Nandex and the boys please view the Bungy Rookies Photo Album.
(Stanley Nandex takes time out of this busy schedule to meet the Bungy Rookies)
(The boys were thrilled and I beleive Stanley also enjoyed the experience)
After the session with the boys down at the field, Stanley and Angela came around for dinner - a magnificent Mamboo prepared by Uncle Joel and Eli - believe you me we ate like kings. And after dinner we weren’t going to miss the opportunity to take some snaps with a world champion!
(No boiled lollies for those that guess who had the strongest biceps on the day)
(A nice shot of Eli with Stanley and Angela)
Other photos taken last night at home with friends Stanley and Angela can be seen by going here.
What grades do you have in your club? How’s the club going? Just interested from being a rugby person as well.
Emmanuel,
Are you kidding? No grades mate - just a bunch a street boys that have got together to form a club. There first real test will be in October when they play in the Goroka 7’s tournament.
Cheers bro,
R