The SP PNG Hunters have announced that existing assistant coach Paul Aiton has been elevated to the role of Head Coach for the 2024 QRL Hostplus Cup competition.
The club has also named an official 40-man training squad in preparation for the upcoming season.
The selection of Aiton in the Head Coach capacity is the latest evidence of the Hunters upward trajectory as a football club.
Over the last few years, the Hunters have made considerable strides both on and off the field towards a highly professional and successful outfit, and Aiton’s acquisition fits this mould.
Having most recently worked alongside Justin Holbrook in the PNG Kumuls dominant Pacific Bowl Championship series, Aiton brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Hunters Head Coach role.
A former Kumul captain himself and a veteran of 250 first-grade games between the NRL and UK Super League, Aiton is perfectly positioned to guide an exciting group of young Hunters players into the future.
SP PNG Hunters Chairman Stan Joyce said he is “excited to see one of PNG’s finest Rugby League products take the helm at the Hunters and help more of our young Papua New Guinean young men to develop and realise their dreams to play overseas.”
Preparations for the 2024 QRL Hostplus Cup season have already begun and Aiton will oversee an extended squad of 40 players in the opening stages of the preseason.
The final SP PNG Hunters 2024 playing squad will be chosen from this group.
The club would like to congratulate the following players on their selection in the extended squad:
FULLTIME CONTRACTS:
Morea MOREA
Solo WANE
Brendon NIMA
Siki KONDEN
Joshua LAU
Jamie MAVOKO
Judah RIMBU
Epel KAPINIAS
Benji KOT
Sherwin TANABI
Sanny WABO
Seal KALO
Tommy MOIDE
Trevor SOLU
Sakias KOMATI
Whallan TAU-LOI
Junior IGILA
Joshua MIRE
Junior ROP
Ila ALU
TRAIN & TRIAL CONTRACTS
DOUZEN HOYATO
DOUGLAS PIRIKA
ELIJAH ROLTINGA
CLENT LAMA
KEVIN YAKO
ZACHARIAH SELU
GARRY JAMES
FINLAY GLARE
LIMBI HENRY
JUNIOR TALIN
ATUA JOSHUA
ALEX MAX
JORDAN PAT
ANTHONY WOROT
NORMAN AKUNAI
CHRIS URAKUSIE
WENDLE KIPSY
ISHMAEL WAINE
ROBERT MATHIAS
TRIALLING
JERRY JOE
BRENDAN TURI
MANASH KAI
WEIAYH KOI