SP PNG Hunters have announced the appointment of Digicel Cup premiership winning coach Stanley Tepend as assistant coach for the 2022 Intrust Super Cup season. Tepend will be an assistant to Hunters coach Matt Church, bringing his experience from nine seasons in charge of the Lae Snax Tigers including four premierships and six minor premierships. SP PNG Hunters chairman Mr Stan Joyce CSM said he was delighted that Tepend would join the Hunters. “This is a very pleasing appointment because it adds even more experience and insights to the Hunters coaching staff,” Mr Joyce said. “This is a significant announcement because we are as committed to developing our coaching talent as we are committed to developing our on-field talent. Stanley Tepend will help us in those goals.” In September, Tepend guided the Tigers to a 16-10 win over Waghi Tumbe in the Digicel Cup grand final played in front of a capacity crowd at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. That capped a stellar period for Tepend as coach of the Tigers, stretching from his inaugural season in 2013 through to premierships in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021. During that time Tepend was also an assistant coach of the PNG Kumuls and coached a Prime Minister’s XIII team against Australia. Tepend will join Church and Paul Aiton on the Hunters coaching staff.