The PNG Rugby Football League and PNG National Rugby League Competition announced a new concept geared towards developing the younger players in the code.
The Under 23 Resident program is a 5 year agreement with New South Wales Rugby League.
The Under 23 Resident’s program creates another pathway for all the players in the national competition, the Digicel Cup.
“This program has been negotiated and finalized by PNGRFL together the counterparts News South Wales Rugby Country and PNGNRLC. We are deligted that they have the confidence in PNGNRLC to pass the program onto us to deliver it in PNG” explained PNGNRLC Chairman Adrian Chow.
Chairman Chow said the country has witnessed a general improvement in the standard of the code and this Under 23 Resident program will continue to develop rugby league in the country, especially the players.
“This competition is directed at young and developing players so we want this program to assist players reach their potential because many of this players when they are young, they are still able to be moulded” said Mr Chow.
The advantage of this program is that it will expose the young players to international level of competitions.
Under the program, the PNG Under 23 Resident team will challenge New South Wales Country Under 23 Team.
“This year they will come here and next year, our boys will travel to New South Wales. ..Beyond the partnership with NSW, this is a concept we want to grow and we will look at other competitions for our Resident’s Team going forward” said Sandis Tsaka, PNGRFL Sandis Tsaka.