PNG Rugby Football League

PNGRFL CEO Reatau Rau and SP PNG Hunters chairman Graham Osborne signed the deal with Jack’s of PNG manager for corporate business, Yogesh Samy, at Jack’s Retail in Port Moresby today.

The deal gear, which will have the SP Hunters and PNG Kumuls logos on them, will come in all sizes for men, women and children.

“The PNGRFL partnered with Jack’s of PNG in 2017 and the revenue outcome was immense; they decided to sign another contract, this time for 3 years,” Rau said.

In attendance were the PNG Rugby Football League plus sponsors from all the ten franchise clubs, support sponsors of the competition and naming rights sponsor and broadcasting partner, Digicel PNG.

Chairman of the PNG NRLC, Adrian Chow, said the Digicel Cup continues to grow and develop with the inclusion of two new teams – PRK Gulf Isou and Simbu Provincial Government Chimbu Warriors.

“A total of 10 franchises will be playing across seven venues in PNG. Over 300 players and 100 franchise officials, match referees and officials will be directly involved and registered.

He said this after reports were put out in the Australian media about Cairns and PNG considering launching an unprecedented joint bid for a NRL expansion licence.

“The PNGRFL is not aware of and has not discussed any joint NRL bid with any other city to the NRL.

“A NRL Bid is a massive venture that would require substantial investment in resources and infrastructure capacity in terms of elite and junior development pathways and football infrastructure, which PNG currently lacks and is still developing.

He said the signing of Stanton will help Wellington a lot after the sudden loss of Kato Ottio.

“We know they are in good hands with the Vikings. Having Stanton there makes things a bit easier. It will really help in the transition process and to settle in quickly,” stated Rau.

“We are grateful to Widnes Vikings for this opportunity.”

Rau then wished the Albert brothers good luck this season.

“I’m proud of Wellington and Stanton and wish them and our other Kumuls boys all the best this season.

This is the warning given by PNGRFL Chairman Sandis Tsaka when referring to the annual Agmark 9s competition.

PNGRFL has issued a notice to all its affiliated leagues, franchises and officials to refrain from organising and participating in unsanctioned off season competitions.

Chairman Tsaka said affiliates, clubs and officials are required to seek the clearance and sanction of the PNGRFL before organising and participating in such competitions.

The team was announced by chairman of the PNG Rugby Football League, Sandis Tsaka, in front of naming rights sponsor, National Gaming Control Board and other stakeholders.

The NGCB PNG Prime Minister’s XIII will take on the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII at the National Football Stadium on September 23.

“This is a very strong team that was put together by the selection panel chaired by PNG LNG Kumuls coach, Michael Marum.

“It has the full blessing of all key stakeholders,” said Tsaka.

Rau extended his appreciation to every Papua New Guinean and in particular, the franchises that supported the eight teams this season.

“The PNG National Rugby League Competition which runs the Digicel Cup became part of the PNGRFL structure this season.

“We had strict guidelines and proper competition manuals to follow. The eight teams that participated followed these rules and guidelines which made the competition a big success.

Oil Search was announced this week as the naming rights sponsor for the inaugural Oil Search PNG Orchids – the women’s team to participate in the annual PNG Prime Minister’s XIII against Australia next month and also in the 2017 Women’s Rugby League World Cup.

Speaking during the launch, Oil Search Managing Director Peter Botten said Oil Search is a proud advocate of women’s empowerment and strongly supports the campaign to end violence against women, through the company as well as the Oil Search Foundation.

The NRL designed program incorporates accreditation courses in refereeing, coaching or first aid awareness. It is being run in partnership with the PNG Rugby Football League.

The first module began today at the National Football Stadium involving over 20 students from different schools in Port Moresby plus volunteers and referees.

Speaking at the launch, Australian NRL Referee Education Provider, Paul Oliver said the program will provide more opportunities for young people to get involved in rugby league.

The program is being run by the PNGRFL in collaboration with the Australian NRL.

Rugby league coaches from all local leagues affiliated to the PNGRFL recently completed the first stage of the three phase program to achieve a PNGRFL coaching certificate accreditation to the NRL.

Program facilitator David Westley said they’re also looking at involving teachers at the school level so that the kids can be ready for the future to be a Hunter or a Kumul or even an NRL player.

Westley said all the coaches were very keen to learn during the coaching course.