Rugby league international development program

The PNG Rugby Football League is proud of the processes and structures that it has implemented in the last 5 years.

PNGRFL CEO, Reatau Rau, made this statement in the presence of international rugby league representatives recently.

The Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) and the Rugby League World Cup 2021 in England staff were in Port Moresby to discuss the International Development Program.

In a joint press conference last week, PNGRFL CEO Reatau Rau said changes made in the past years has placed them in a better position to attract international events.

Quoting the PNGRFL Chairman, Rau said a domestic, healthy competition without any international flavour basically defeats the PNGRFL’s purpose.

“In PNG rugby league what we’ve done in the last 5 years is to build a pathway from the kids all the way to the Kumuls,” he said.

“In the last two years we have seen the Kumuls gone from one game a year to three games last year; three world cup, one Pacific Test. And for this year, we’re going into four games now; Pacific Test against Fiji, Prime Minister’s XIII, then we got the England Knights (two games) visiting us.”

The Rugby League International Federation’s Southern Hemisphere General Manager, Jeremy Edwards, says they see a great rugby league future in PNG.

“The PNGRFL guys have done some fantastic work in developing their programs and we’re here to support that as well,” he stated.

“I think that’s well-recognised that’s why we are here.

“What we’re looking at this part of the world is absolutely growing rugby league in the Pacific and we can grow that on all facets. Not only the T1 games or the international test matches but right down to the under 10s, both the boys and the girls under that age.”

Edwards said the international federation is keen on showcasing talent in this part of the world.

Author: 
Carmella Gware