ENB Women take lead in league development

Women are taking the lead in developing rugby league in East New Britain Province.

Female leading development officer from ENB Grace Michael says it is always a challenge to develop this male dominant sport in the province.

Michael has been developing the sport in schools throughout the province since the program’s inception in 2014 under the League Bilong Laif program run by NRL Australia in PNG.

The program works with schools in the four regions of PNG using rugby league as a tool to support education outcomes.

She says it has been a challenge being the first female development officer in the program and to be able to be working alongside the men trying to keep up with the role.

“It’s good to have male colleagues around who have been very helpful to me as I face the challenges of dealing with the male students who think women cannot play the sport,” she said.

Grace is also the founding coordinator of the ENB womens rugby league which is what motivates her to develop the sport in the schools.

The female students have seen her as a role model.

“We now have a huge number of girls who want to play rugby league in the province.

“Having a female teaching them the rules and techniques of the game has gotten the girls out of their shells and instilled confidence to play the sport,” Michael said.

So far, her team of three development officers has visited a total of 45 schools comprising of 25 primary and 20 elementary schools. They plan to visit more schools this year.

Caption: Grace Michael among league development officers undergoing training in Port Moresby recently. 

Author: 
Quintina Naime