Santos Cup Builds Stronger Future for PNG Women’s Rugby League

Women’s rugby league in Papua New Guinea is set for major improvements this year with PNG Rugby Football League introducing new standards and longer competition schedules for the 2026 Santos Cup season.

Officials and team representatives gathered in Port Moresby from May 19 to 21 for the Santos Cup Football Conference, where discussions centred on the theme “Empower: Better Building Blocks”.

Santos Cup Builds Stronger Future for PNG Women’s Rugby League

The conference focused on improving the professional environment for female athletes, including stronger medical support, accredited coaching staff and improved systems for player contracts and payments.

Under the new structure, the Santos Cup competition will now run for 10 weeks, including eight regular season rounds and two weeks of finals football. The preseason has also been extended to six weeks to help players prepare physically before the competition starts.

PNG Rugby Football League Women’s Manager Urith Toa said the conference was an important step in ensuring all participating teams worked under the same standards and expectations.

“The conference allowed dialogue with our Santos Cup team managers but most importantly aligned them with PNGRFL standards by focusing on these ‘Better Building Blocks’. This is more than a competition; we are building a sustainable pathway for women in rugby league,” Ms Toa said.

Ms Toa said team managers also underwent training on MySideline and Hudl systems while sports medical trainers, physiotherapists and strength and conditioning coaches completed specialist medical training courses during the conference.

PNGRFL Chief Executive Officer Stanley Hondina said the women’s competition continued to grow and required better support systems around players and officials.

“The Santos Cup continues to grow as a premier pathway for female athletes in Papua New Guinea. Through initiatives like this conference, we are strengthening the systems, standards and support structures around our players and staff to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of women’s rugby league,” Mr Hondina said.

The paid preseason for the 2026 Santos Cup season starts on June 1, with the competition opening on July 11 and 12.