Manly’s Dylan Walker – the Dally M Centre of the Year – was an unfortunate casualty of the Prime Minister’s XIII game in Papua New Guinea and would almost certainly have earned selection, but his absence leaves Chambers and Dane Gagai as the only Kangaroos to have played a minimum of five NRL games in the centres this season.Instead, the proliferation of fullbacks at the representative level continued with Meninga selecting five players who have spent significant time in the No.1 jersey during the course of the season.Having played in the centres in all three State of Origin matches for New South Wales this year as well as four times for St George Illawarra late in the season, Josh Dugan is the man favoured to partner Chambers in the centres against England in the World Cup opener in Melbourne on October 27.Dugan has scored five tries in his past four appearances in the centres for the Kangaroos but he is a long way from possessing the attacking potency displayed by Renouf who crossed for 11 tries in his 10 Tests for Australia.Laurie Daley used Dugan and Jarryd Hayne in the centres for the NSW Blues, and throughout the finals series we witnessed Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson employing Mitch Aubusson and Ryan Matterson in the centres for the Tricolours. The practice of substituting bigger-bodied back-rowers out wide was one regularly employed by other clubs also.Whilst that is primarily done to shore up the defensive line, Renouf says by using part-time centres a team can actually become more vulnerable.”I’m one of the true blue centres but it is a shame to be honest,” Renouf said of genuine centres being overlooked in representative teams.”I got offered the chance to play fullback back in my day but I bluntly said no to Wayne [Bennett] that I didn’t want to be fullback so I hung in there.”It is a very specific position and teams find other teams out.”If yoou’re not a true centre and you haven’t played most of your time there, defensively you can get caught out very easily.” “You don’t have the beauty of having that tight pack a bit closer in. You’re out there and you’re calling the shots with just you and your winger.”Ironically, Renouf will be one of the few Australian centres travelling around the country during the World Cup as he delivers the Deadly Choices program that encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have regular health checks.When the former Bronco made his Test debut in 1992 he did so alongside one of the most imposing centres to ever play the game in Meninga himself, but is somewhat disappointed that size is preferred over speed in the modern game.”Size is a big thing these days,” said Renouf, who played 183 games for Brisbane and scored a double in his final Test appearance in 1998.”We relied a lot on our speed both in attack and defence. I can remember Wayne saying to us – because we had a very quick back-line – his big thing to us was to show them the sideline.”If they beat you on the outside good luck to them but don’t let them ever go through you.”He had the faith in us that we’d run them down, which nine times out of 10 we did.”
eHealth-Africa in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has turned over Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) constructed across the country to 11 of the 15 county health teams. eHealth-Africa constructed and operated 15 of the EOCs in the country during the Ebola outbreak, but is now phasing out the project. With the turn-over exercise, the Ministry of Health will now take over the project.The weeklong turning over exercise was carried out simultaneously by three teams (A, B, C) across the country. Team A covered Rivercess, Sinoe, Grand Kru and Maryland counties.Team B included Grand Cape Mount, Grand Bassa and Bomi counties, while Team C turned over EOCs in Lofa, Nimba, Grand Gedeh and River Gee counties.Each of the EOCs consists of a conference room and work station that are well equipped with internet service for effective reporting of emergency cases, desk phones, laptops, projectors, flat screen televisions, white boards, among other equipment.The facilities were provided by eHealth-Africa through funding from the CDC as part of efforts by the United States government to help build a resilient health sector in Liberia. The facilities are also meant to fight Ebola and other diseases in Liberia through an effective Internet Technology (IT) System.eHealth-Africa originally operated in Nigeria where through its communication system fought significantly against the spread of Ebola virus disease (EVD) and the eradication of Polio in that West African state.During the handing over of the facility in Sinoe County, Senator, J. Milton Teajay, expressed appreciation to the US government for aiding the people of Liberia at a most critical time.He described the handover as a manifestation of true traditional friendship and love for humanity.He lauded the CDC and eHealth-Africa for their willingness to come and help save the lives of Liberians at a most critical and devastating time in the country’s history.The Sinoe lawmaker meanwhile assured eHealth-Africa and the CDC that the facilities will be used for the intended purpose.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
…politics trumps effectivenessBy Gary EleazarMinister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, has defended his decision to effectively dismiss Permanent Secretary Collin Croal, who had served under three Ministries in the previous Administration, saying he did not have confidence in his ability to function under a new system.Communities Minister Ronald BulkanBulkan, by way of a public missive, has since responded to social commentator Chris Ram, who had questioned the decision not to have Croal serve as a Permanent Secretary under the new Administration.Ram, in a critical missive produced over the weekend and directed towards President David Granger, had urged the Public Service Department to carry out an audit of the persons dismissed since his Administration took office, together with their qualifications and experience.Colin Croal was sacked as PS“There are a lot of discarded and unused brains available; but, unfortunately, they seem to lack the further qualification of the right race. Glaringly, this is true of the permanent secretaries under the PPP/C, but let me give two examples in which an explanation was in fact offered.”Ram pointed to Croal, who “holds an MBA and served creditably as Permanent Secretary in three ministries. He is not implicated in any wrongdoing, but was effectively dismissed by the Granger Administration because he was on the PPP/C list for the 2015 elections.”Minister Bulkan, in response, has stated, “The fact is, though, that the decision to not renew his contract was mine alone…I acted based on my own deliberate judgment.”According to Minister Bulkan, after consideration, “I concluded that based on the record of centralised government embraced by the regime in which Mr Croal functioned, I did not feel confident of his ability or readiness to function in this Administration, one which has as core values the philosophy of strong, autonomous, and empowered local government organs and a decentralised system of multi-tiered government.”He noted, too, that “Mr Croal was effectively dismissed in that his contract of employment was not renewed. (Mr Croal chose to be a contracted employee with the knowledge that contracts are subject to non-renewal.)In regard to Ram’s suggestion that the employment decisions were rooted in race, Minister Bulkan was adamant, “I have always chosen my professional associates based on considerations of character and merit; race has never been a factor.”According to Minister Bulkan, “With reference to President David Granger, any suggestion that he is racially prejudiced borders on the ludicrous.”Ram, in his critique of the President, had said, “Being on an electoral list appears to have been a qualification for top jobs in the Granger Administration for the hierarchy of the APNU and AFC parties, some of whom are paid high salaries determined on the whim of persons of equally suspect expertise for doing work for which they have no academic or professional qualifications or experience.”
FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – The Fort St. John Elks Speed Skating Club will be offering an adult skating program.The program targets beginner level skaters as an introduction to the sport. This will include two coached sessions per week, with additional ice time as available.The Speed Skating Club is focusing on developing a community of adult speed skaters in a positive and low-cost environment.- Advertisement -The program will run from January 14 to the third week in March. Coached skating times will be Monday and Wednesday evenings from 8 to 9 p.m. and an uncoached session on Saturdays from 10 to 11 a.m.The cost of the program is $250 and includes skate rental, on a first come first serve basis as spaces are limited. The purchase of ankle protection is required in order to participate in the program.To sign up for the adult speed skating program, you can fill out the online questionnaire.Advertisement
The wheels are in motion to bring back the Fort St. John outhouse races.Event organizers are in the preliminary stages of returning the event to the city. They have recently submitted a letter to the City, requesting the approval to close certain roads for the races.- Advertisement -During previous years, the races took place on 100 Ave between 100 Street and 102 Street.Organizers say they are hopeful the city will respond positively to their requests, which would result in the first Outhouse Race in 15 years.The projected summer race date will be Friday, July 8 and updates on the event will be reported when the information presents itself.
Auditor General of Guyana Deodat SharmaThe much-anticipated financial audit of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project is expected to commence shortly once the Public Infrastructure Ministry supplies certain information to the Auditor General’s Office.This is according to Auditor General Deodat Sharma, who told the <<
Donegal boss Jim McGuinness has said he fears one of his players getting a fatal injury if they are not protected more by referees.The Glenties man was speaking as All-Star Mark McHugh overcomes an injury which some experts have likened to being in a car crash.The Kilcar player suffered a concussion, a bursted and may be out for the rest of the season after an encounter in the Ulster Final with Monaghan. McGuinness said he now fears that players are not being protected enough.He told RTE’s Sunday Sport “I’m not happy that we have a player with a burst ear drum. I’m not happy that he had a major concussion. I’m not happy that he has a five-centimetre – not millimetre – tear on his quad muscle as a result of the impact.“ I’m not happy that he spent two nights in hospital. I’m not happy that he has missed a full week off work.“We’re in a very dangerous position here. I fear that something is going to happen and my biggest fear is a spinal injury or a neck injury. “Mark McHugh’s last week was our fourth concussion in three games.“Four concussions in three games – I imagine Munster or Leinster Rugby wouldn’t have that many. I have never criticised a referee and I’m not criticising a referee now. What I am saying is that there is a duty of care to the players. I would be fearful that our players will end up on the receiving end of something very soon that will cost everybody a lot of pain.“That’s not something I want to preside over. It’s not worth it if it goes to that point. “ McGUINNESS SAID HE FEARS HIS PLAYERS GETTING A FATAL INJURY was last modified: July 28th, 2013 by StephenShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:Jim McGuinnessMark McHugh
Smith, who was the game’s designated player, pitched the final two innings in relief of Nicole Timmons (Davenport, Iowa), who started and went five innings and allowed three runs on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts. Smith retired the first three hitters faced in the sixth inning and then worked around her throwing error to begin the seventh for her league-leading seventh save. She had three strikeouts. Timmons, who continues to have an outstanding first season as a Bulldog, improved to 13-4 with the win. CHICAGO – The Drake University softball team clinched the 2018 Missouri Valley Conference Regular Season title with its doubleheader sweep at Loyola Saturday afternoon. Drake, which has won three MVC titles in school history, including two in the past four seasons, is 38-9 overall and 21-0 in league play after its victories Saturday by scores of 7-1 and 6-3. PDF Box Score Loyola Game 2 Next Game: at Loyola 4/29/2018 – 11 AM Live Stats Watch Live The Valley on ESPN3 Drake broke open the game with a five-run, fifth-inning with seven hits, all singles, and took advantage of one Ramblers’ error. Tasha Alexander (Eddyville, Iowa), Sarah Maddox (Henderson, Nev.), Pena and Wright each hit RBI singles in the inning. Loyola cut Drake’s lead to 4-3 in the fifth inning with a three-run home run by Katie Kasubke. However, the Bulldogs answered and extended their lead by scoring two runs in the sixth. Roemmich doubled with one out to score Gabbie Jonas (Omaha, Neb.), who pinch ran for Ashlie Chambers (Ankeny, Iowa), who had a leadoff single. The final run came courtesy of Macy Johnson (Winterset, Iowa), who lined a ball through the left side to score Roemmich. Roemmich led the Bulldogs’ offensive attack from the leadoff spot in the order with a game-high three hits. Pena had two hits and two runs batted in while Wright drove in three runs. As a team, Drake pounded out 10 hits as they set a new program record with its 20th Valley win this season. Story Links
Preview In Saturday’s first game, Drake staked a 2-0 lead in the first inning behind two base-loaded walks, the first of which was drawn by Taryn Pena (Columbia, Ill.) and the next was drawn by Kelsey Wright (Olathe, Kan.). The Bulldogs drew three walks and had base hits by Mandi Roemmich (West Des Moines, Iowa) and Macy Johnson (Winterset, Iowa) in the inning. Drake and Loyola will finish their series Sunday at 11 a.m. The game will be broadcast on The Valley on ESPN3. Print Friendly Version Pitcher Nicole Newman (Madison, Wis.) allowed her first earned run to an MVC opponent this season in the second inning when Allyson Ivey hit a solo home run. Later, Ivey had the only other Loyola hit with a fourth-inning double, but Newman retired the next 10 hitters in order, including seven strikeouts. Newman improved to 17-2 with the complete game and finished with 11 strikeouts. Pena drove in Drake’s first run in game two with a sacrifice fly in the first inning. Pena plated Kennedy Frank (Chesterfield, Mo.), who doubled to center field with one out and then moved to third on a passed ball. Drake added two runs in the second inning with both coming with two outs. Alexander doubled to left field as Wright, who lined a one-out single and then stole second, scored. Alexander later scored the second run after an error by the Ramblers’ third baseman. Hustle by the Bulldogs led to the fourth run in the third. Libby Ryan (Mount Vernon, Iowa), who pinch ran for Kailee Smith (Murrieta, Calif.) after Smith’s leadoff single, scored all the way from first base on Maddox’s single to center. PDF Box Score Game 1 Loyola Full Schedule Roster The Bulldogs are riding a program-record 24-game winning streak and today’s pair of wins sets a new school record for most Valley wins in a season. Drake will be the No. 1 seed for the MVC Tournament, May 10-12, which it will host at Buel Field in Des Moines.
Donegal Under 17’s won the McGuigan Cup after defeating Monaghan in the semi final 5-11 to 0-02 and defeating Tyrone in the final 3-09 to 0-03.The score at half time in the final was 0-02 to 0-01 to Donegal. Donegal under the management of Shaun Paul Barrett, Neilly Byrne, Darren Nash and Luke Barrett. Donegal captains Kane Barrett and Dáire Ó Baoill accepted the cup from Joe McGuigan. GAA NEWS: DONEGAL U17s CELEBRATE McGUIGAN CUP SUCCESS was last modified: August 24th, 2014 by John2Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:donegalMcGuigan CupU17s
Tags: premier leaguetop AFC Bournemouth vs Newcastle UnitedVitality Stadium, DorsetSaturday, 16-03-2019 @6pmReferee: Mike DeanBournemouth full-back Adam Smith will miss out with a hamstring strain, so Nathaniel Clyne is likely to deputise. Ryan Fraser should be fit despite missing training earlier this week after suffering some heavy challenges against Huddersfield.Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles is sidelined by a knee problem, but Ciaran Clark makes a timely return from a similar injury. Fabian Schar is banned for two matches after accumulating 10 bookings.Newcastle are unbeaten in three league and cup visits to Bournemouth since a 2-1 defeat in the second tier in September 1989. The only home win in five Premier League meetings was registered by Newcastle in this season’s reverse fixture.Their tally of 25 points at home is the most this season among clubs outside the top six. The Cherries only need a point to match last season’s final total of 26 at the Vitality Stadium. All seven of Bournemouth’s home league defeats since losing to Burnley in November 2017 have come against established top-six sides. Callum Wilson is vying to score in four consecutive league appearances for the first time since October 2014 in the Championship. Wilson and Ryan Fraser have combined for nine Premier League goals this season – the last pair to do so 10 times in a single top-flight campaign were Arsenal’s Nicolas Anelka and Dennis Bergkamp 20 years ago. Fraser is the first Scottish player to register 10 assists in a single Premier League season. Joshua King has scored four goals in his last four league games at home.Newcastle are winless in six away matches, earning just two points. The Magpies have lost seven consecutive Premier League away games in March without scoring since a 4-1 victory at Hull City in 2014. They have only scored 11 goals in 17 Premier League away fixtures since last April. Six-goal Ayoze Perez is the highest scorer in the division this season yet to score away from home. Salomon Rondon has been involved in 13 Premier League goals for Newcastle this season (eight goals, five assists) – five more than any other player. Jonjo Shelvey’s next league appearance will be his 100th for Newcastle.Burnley vs Leicester CityTurf Moor, BurnleySaturday, 16-03-2019 @6pmReferee: Michael OliverBurnley manager Sean Dyche has no fresh injury worries and could name the same side for the third successive match. Aaron Lennon may yet return from knee surgery before the end of the season but Steven Defour is likely to have to wait until next term.Leicester City could also be unchanged for Saturday’s trip to Turf Moor. Winger Marc Albrighton, midfielder Matty James and the versatile Daniel Amartey are all unlikely to feature again this season because of injuries.Burnley have earned successive Premier League home victories against Leicester – they’ve never won three in a row against an opponent at Turf Moor in the competition. They are Leicester’s only two defeats in the 14 most recent meetings (W8, D4, L2). This is the 50th top-flight meeting. Burnley have won 22 and Leicester 13, with 14 draws.Burnley could equal the club record of four consecutive Premier League defeats. They have the joint-second worst defensive record in the division this season, conceding 57 goals. The Clarets are one short of scoring 100 Premier League home goals. There have been a league-high 12 goals scored in the 90th minute or later in Burnley’s games this season, with Sean Dyche’s side scoring three and conceding nine. Ashley Barnes could become the first Burnley player to score in four successive Premier League matches at Turf Moor.Leicester have won two of their last three league games, more than they had in their final eight under Claude Puel (W1, D1, L6). The 12 goals they have conceded in the opening 15 minutes of matches this season is the most in the division. The Foxes have let in the opening goal in 20 Premier League fixtures this season, a joint-high with the bottom three sides. Leicester are without a clean sheet in nine matches since a 1-0 win at Everton on New Year’s Day. Brendan Rodgers has won four of his five league meetings with Burnley, beating them while in charge at Watford, Swansea and Liverpool. He has never beaten a team with four different clubs. Jamie Vardy has scored five goals in as many league games – one more than he had in his previous 16 appearances.West Ham United vs Huddersfield TownLondon Stadium, LondonSaturday, 16-03-2019 @6pmReferee: Jonathan MossWest Ham striker Andy Carroll could be out until the end of the season because of an ankle injury. Marko Arnautovic, who is back to full fitness after illness, could start after two appearances off the bench.Erik Durm is the latest doubt for injury-hit Huddersfield, having picked up a minor strain in training. Fellow defender Tommy Smith returns after three games out with suspension, although Christopher Schindler will retain the captaincy.West Ham have never lost to Huddersfield in a Premier League fixture (W2, D1). Huddersfield haven’t beaten West Ham in the league in four meetings since November 1971.West Ham are unbeaten at home in all competitions in 2019 (W4, D2). The Hammers have kept just three Premier League clean sheets at the London Stadium this season. Only Manchester United and Fulham have fewer at home. West Ham are looking to win three consecutive league games at the London Stadium for the first time. They have earned 39 points this season, only three fewer than their final total in 2017-18. Six of West Ham’s last seven Premier League goals have come from a set-piece. The club’s eight-goal leading league scorer Felipe Anderson has not added to his tally in his last 11 league games.Huddersfield have lost seven of their last eight league matches. The Terriers have scored eight goals away from home, the lowest tally in the division. Huddersfield have failed to score in five successive away games in the Premier League since Boxing Day. They have used 29 players in this season’s Premier League, the joint-highest number. Steve Mounie has been directly involved in four of Huddersfield’s last five Premier League goals, scoring twice and assisting twice.Fulham vs Liverpool Craven Cottage, LondonSunday, 17-03-2019 @5:15pmReferee: Craig PawsonFulham have lost five consecutive league games against Liverpool, conceding 16 goals, since a 1-0 win at Anfield in May 2012. Liverpool could win three matches in a row at Craven Cottage for the first time in the top flight. There has not been a draw between the sides in 13 Premier League meetings at Craven Cottage.Fulham have no new injury concerns and forward Andre Schurrle is training again after a virus. Alfie Mawson is recovering from knee surgery and hopes to be back playing before the end of the season.Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is out of the game because of an ankle injury sustained in the Champions League victory over Bayern Munich. Naby Keita will be assessed after missing the trip to Germany with a minor injury.Fulham have equalled the club Premier League record of six consecutive defeats. Their only longer top-flight losing streak was an 11-match run between December 1961 and February 1962. They have also matched the Premier League record of conceding multiple goals in 10 consecutive matches, previously done by Wimbledon and West Bromwich Albion. The Cottagers have lost 17 matches this season by a margin of two or more goals, just two short of the Premier League record they set in 2013-14. They have conceded 68 goals so far, 11 more than any other top-flight side. Fulham have lost 24 of their past 25 Premier League matches against established top-six teams, with the only exception being a 2-2 draw at Manchester United in February 2014. Scott Parker played in the Fulham team that lost 4-0 in the Premier League at Anfield in November 2013.Liverpool have equalled their best record after 30 matches of a top-flight campaign, set in 1987-88 (W22, D7, L1). They went on to win the title by nine points that season. They have won only one of their five Premier League away games in 2019, compared to eight victories in 10 attempts before the turn of the year. The Reds have conceded nine goals in 10 league fixtures in 2019, one more than they had in the previous 20 games this season. Jurgen Klopp’s side are unbeaten in their last 11 league matches against promoted sides (W10, D1), scoring 31 goals and conceding just four. Sadio Mane has scored eight goals in his last eight league appearances, though just one of these has come away from Anfield.Everton vs ChelseaGoodison Park, LiverpoolSaturday, 17-03-2019 @7:30pmReferee: Anthony TaylorEverton’s Seamus Coleman is set to return after missing the defeat at Newcastle because of illness. Leighton Baines is also in contention after a back issue but Phil Jagielka is an injury doubt while Kurt Zouma is ineligible against his parent club.Gonzalo Higuain could be available again after missing the midweek trip to Dynamo Kiev with illness. The likes of Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, and Eden Hazard, who were rested in midweek, are set to return.The past two league meetings have ended 0-0. Only four fixtures in Premier League history have finished goalless in three consecutive games. Everton haven’t scored in any of their last five league matches against Chelsea (D2, L3). The Toffees have won only one of the last 10 Premier League encounters (D3, L6).Everton have lost four of their last six league games (W1, D1). It’s seven games and more than two months since they last won at home (D3, L4). Everton have not beaten one of the established top-six sides in the league since January 2017, drawing seven and losing 18. Their last seven Premier League goals at Goodison Park have been scored by different players. Theo Walcott has scored six goals in all competitions against Chelsea, finding the net at all four grounds he has faced them on. He is yet to play them at Goodison Park. Jordan Pickford is one short of 100 Premier League appearances.Chelsea have won three of their last five league matches (D1, L1). They have lost three of their last four away games in the Premier League, conceding 12 goals in those three defeats. The Blues have kept only one clean sheet in their last nine away league matches, in a 1-0 triumph at Crystal Palace on 30 December. Chelsea have 57 points after 29 Premier League matches, four more than they had at this stage of last season under Antonio Conte. Eden Hazard has been directly involved in 24 (48%) of Chelsea’s 50 Premier League goals this season (13 goals, 11 assists), the highest ratio in the division. Chelsea have hit the woodwork 19 times this season, more than any other side in the top flight. Marcos Alonso and Willian have both hit the woodwork six times each. They are the only club not to have received a red card in this season’s Premier League.Comments 
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