Digicel Play brings NRL excitement to communities

Seven towns across the country have celebrated the upcoming NRL season at Digicel’s free community NRL in the Park events, which wrapped up at Buka and Kokopo on Saturday February 27

The Buka event, which was held at Bel Isi Park featured local band Model Zero who entertained residents and league fans.  

Kokopo Primary School oval was also full of activities on the day, with local group Mind Trip performing and a special appearance by the Rabaul Agmark Gurias led by Captain Albert Patak and Boas Ruru, providing some simple ball drills with the children and a game of footy.

The Digicel-sponsored NRL in the Park events were part of a 7 City Plan announced in January, which took PNG’s favourite sport to the people every weekend over four weeks from January 30.

The events were held in Port Moresby, Lae, Mount Hagen, Goroka, Madang, Buka and Kokopo and featured a variety of live entertainment, games and prizes.

League fans were also able to watch their favourite NRL highlights from past seasons on Digicel big-screens showcasing memorable tries, the biggest tackles and major hit-ups.

Digicel PNG CEO, Maurice McCarthy, said Digicel was extremely delighted to host a successful community initiative in the lead up to the 2016 NRL season, in which Digicel Play will be the official NRL broadcaster. 

“The seven NRL in the Park events were all very well attended throughout the country and were a great way to build excitement ahead of the NRL season, which launches this week,” he said.

“PNG loves their rugby league and it’s been a pleasure to bring the footy fun to the people at Digicel’s free NRL in the Park events.

“Digicel is committed to bringing NRL to the people of PNG through televising every match of the 2016 season live on Digicel Play, when it kicks off on Thursday 3 March at 7:05pm when the Brisbane Broncos play the Parramatta Eels.”

Last week, Digicel Play announced a new telecast partnership with PNG’s state broadcaster the National Broadcasting Corporation which will see three weekly NRL matches aired on the NBC’s free-to-air channel as well as Digicel Play’s broadcast in high definition.

“This partnership is a great example of Digicel’s commitment to its broadcasting responsibilities and it highlights our commitment to ensure people across PNG can enjoy NRL regardless of where they live,” McCarthy said.

As the true home of Rugby League in PNG, Digicel Play offers an unbeatably high service for our viewers. With Digicel Play and NBC we are reaching the whole of PNG.”

The announcement is a major boost for rugby league fans and is another step in Digicel’s full program of activity which goes far beyond just televising the matches.

Along with televising the NRL Premiership games live, Digicel Play will also broadcast the State of Origin Series, the All Stars Match, the ANZAC test and the under 20’s games. Digicel Play will also continue to support and broadcast the Digicel Cup and the QRL Intrust Super Cup.