Major Boost for Women's Rugby League in PNG as Australian Government Announces $9.7 Million Investment
The Australian Government, in collaboration with PacificAus Sports and Queensland Rugby League (QRL), has pledged a substantial four-year investment of $9.7 million (approximately K24 million) to bolster women's rugby league in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
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| PNG women’s rugby and Hunters representatives during the launch. The event was witnessed by Australian High Commissioner to PNG John Feakes (4th from R), PNGRFL CEO Stanley Hondina (first right), QRL CEO Ben Ikin (4th from L), and Hunters CEO Scott Barker (5th from L). (Supplied: Australian High-Com) |
This significant support builds upon existing partnerships with PNG Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) and PNG Hunters, further solidifying the bond between Australia and PNG through their shared passion for rugby league.
The key components of this initiative include the establishment of a national women's competition in PNG and the implementation of a women's talent identification program. Additionally, the partnership aims to enhance the skills and credentials of PNG rugby league coaches, support staff, and administrators, benefiting both the women's and men's game.
Australian High Commissioner John Feakes expressed Australia's commitment to promoting greater inclusion of women and girls in sports, emphasizing the importance of investing in women's sports as a means to accelerate progress across all sectors of society. Speaking on International Women's Day, Feakes highlighted the strides made by women's rugby league in PNG, from the PNG Orchids' debut performance in the 2017 World Cup to the establishment of a national women's competition.
"I'm excited to see where the game goes in PNG; there is so much untapped potential in this country," Feakes added.
The partnership extends to the PNG Hunters team in the Queensland Cup, ensuring the continuation of high-performance pathways in PNG. QRL Chief Executive Officer Ben Ikin expressed the organization's privilege in collaborating with the Australian Government, PNGRFL, and the PNG Hunters to support the growth of rugby league in PNG.
"The QRL prides itself on being an experienced and responsible steward of the game in Queensland, and we're happy to share our knowledge and expertise with trusted partners," Ikin remarked during the launch.
PNGRFL CEO Stanley Hondina acknowledged the invaluable assistance provided by the Australian Government and the QRL, emphasizing the long-term improvement witnessed in the PNG rugby league over the past two years.
Belinda Gwasamun, skipper of the PNG Orchids, spoke about the positive impact of the partnership, citing opportunities to play internationally and dedicated high-performance training. She expressed excitement for the growth of female athletes in rugby league through the support of a domestic national competition.
"The honor of being able to wear the PNG Orchids badge comes with a lot of responsibility, to positively influence other young women not just in our sport but as people in our community," Gwasamun concluded.
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