The Kimbe Cutters rugby league team has launched an appeal to assist the volcano victims in West New Britain during this weekend's round of Digicel Cup domestic matches in Papua New Guinea.
Mt Ulawun started erupting at about eight in the morning, local time. Photo: AFP / Niugini Helicopters / Craig Powell
Thousands of people have been displaced by the eruption of Mt Ulawun, while about hundred people have been evacuated from Manam Island in Madang.
The Kimbe Cutters franchise are based in West New Britain's provincial capital and are competing in their debut Digicel Cup campaign.
Team chairman Dominic Kaumu said the eruption has greatly affected their community and they wanted to do something to help.
"It's about our football team giving back to the community that we come from," he said.
"The volcanic eruption happened in West New Britain and the team, the Cutters, is their provincial team, backed by our people, backed by our provincial government as well so we see ourselves as a West New Britain team and this is our way of giving back to the community."
Ash-fall from the eruption of Mt Ulawun in West New Britain, PNG, 26 June 2019. Photo: Supplied
Dominic Kaumu was flanked by PNG Rugby Football League CEO Reatau Rau and PNGNRL Competition Manager Stanley Hondina at a press conference in Port Moresby on Tuesday.
The Cutters' Round 13 Digicel Cup match against Lae Snax Tigers was abandoned last weekend, following the eruption and Mr Kaumul said all proceeds from this weekend's home game against Goroka Lahanis will be donated to affected locals.
"All the gate-takings, all the takings for this weekend will be put towards the care centre people," he said. "In other words we are going to use the funds that we raise this weekend - every single cent that has gone through the gate this weekend will be spent for our people."
Care centre for evacuees displaced by Mt Ulawun's eruption in West New Britain, PNG. Photo: Supplied
"What we have also done as the football team is launched an appeal throughout the country encouraging our supporters if you're not going to be in Kimbe this weekend and you're not going to pay that fee in Kimbe this weekend you're most welcome to donate that fee - which is 10 kina, which is the normal gate fee - donate that 10 kina to the Kimbe Cutters," Dominic Kaumu said.
"There's been an account that has been opened - that account has been provided to our supporters out there around the country so that everyone from West New Britain or anyone who wishes to support the Kimbe Cutters initiative can provide for that."
Dominic Kaumu said the launching a brand-new team has been a big ask for the Kimbe Cutters franchise but the eruption of Mt Ulawun has put their on-field perspective challenges into perspective.
"It's also a way for us to educate our young players about being responsible members of our community, giving back to our community," he said. "Football life is quite a short life so at the end of the day a lot of these people will go back into their communities so I'm hoping, and the board is hoping that, in a way, we are also imparting that experience, that knowledge to our players about being better members of our community."
Donation buckets will also be placed at the entry gates for Sunday's PNG Hunters Intrust Super Cup match against Norths Devils in Port Moresby.
PNGRFL CEO Reatau Rau, Kimbe Cutters Chairman Dominic Kaumu and PNGNRL Competition Manager Stanley Hondina Photo: Supplied.
