Soccer: Cain tackles coaching scheme in PNG

By TERRY MADDAFORD

After almost 20 years in New Zealand, former Waitakere City player and coach Steve Cain will become technical manager with the Papua New Guinea Football Association.

Cain will be based in PNG's "soccer city" of Lae, where a $US1 million ($2.39 million) facility will open in August.

Initially, Cain will oversee the start of a coaching programme, but he will also have a say on the appointment of national coaches. At some stage he could coach the national side.

In accepting the PNG post, Cain turned down the chance to take a New Zealand Soccer coaching appointment in Napier.

"It is a major challenge," said Cain, who has taught history and been involved in sport at Kelston Boys High School for the past seven years.

"If I can survive there [PNG], I can survive anywhere."

Cain's three-year appointment starts on January 1.

"I have always wanted to get into football fulltime. This job gives me that opportunity," Cain said.

"Ironically, the mayor of Lae was at Warwick University in England at the same time I was there in the late 1970s."

Cain's appointment continues New Zealand's involvement with Pacific football.

Maurice Tillotson has a similar role in the Cook Islands.