Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League

Our Game Development Team has wrapped up another week on the road, visiting leagues across Western Highlands and Southern Highlands Provinces. 🏉⛰️

The team travelled to Kui Wamp Nga League in Western Highlands, before continuing through Mendi, Pangia and Imbongu United in Southern Highlands Province.

From upskilling local coaches and referees to connecting with league communities, the visits continue to build capacity and strengthen the foundations of rugby league across the Highlands.

Another productive Highlands journey in the books, with more coaches, referees and communities equipped with the knowledge and skills to grow the game from the grassroots up. 🏉

📢 WE’RE HIRING | JOIN THE PNGRFL TEAM!

The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) is inviting suitably qualified and experienced professionals to join our team as we continue strengthening rugby league across Papua New Guinea.

Applications are now open for the following positions:

• Chief Financial Officer
• Management Accountant
• Financial Accountant
• Senior Accounts Officer
• General Manager – Infrastructure & Stakeholder Relations
• PR & Media Executive
• Human Resource Manager
• Human Resource Officer
• Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Officer

If you are passionate about contributing to the growth of rugby league and want to be part of a professional, community-driven organisation, we encourage you to apply.

📩 Submit your CV, cover letter and supporting documents to [email protected]

🗓 Applications close: 4:00PM, Friday 04 September 2026

For full job descriptions, email [email protected]

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Our Game Development Team has recently concluded a week-long visit to three leagues across Enga Province, travelling from Kompiam to Wabag and finishing in Porgera. 🏉⛰️

The visit focused on coaching and refereeing accreditations, community engagement and strengthening the people behind the game.

The team will be visiting leagues in Western Highlands and Southern Highlands provinces this week.

GAME DEVELOPMENT UPDATE 🏉💪

Our CRL Game Development Team in the New Guinea Islands recently delivered a two-day coaching activity session for thirteen (13) coaches from the Manus Schools Rugby League Competition.

From Grip & Carry and Basic Marker to Tackle Technique, Quick Play Ball, and Catch & Pass, the coaches worked through practical skills they can take back to their young players across seven (7) participating schools.

Better Coaches. Better Players. Better Rugby League.

🚨MEDIA RELEASE🚨

RUGBY LEAGUE COMMUNITY SADDENED BY THE PASSING OF CHOW FAMILY MATRIARCH, LADY COLETTE CHOW

August 6th, 2026, PORT MORESBY: The Board, Management, and Staff of the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL), alongside the broader rugby league community, are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the Chow family matriarch, late Lady Colette Chow.

Lady Colette Chow passed away peacefully on August 3, 2026, at the age of 92, marking the end of a remarkable life defined by strength, grace, and unwavering devotion to her family and the nation.

A beacon of light and a woman of profound faith, Lady Colette’s legacy is deeply intertwined with the development of Papua New Guinea, not only through her family’s extensive business contributions but also through their long-standing passion for sports. Her influence extended directly into the heart of rugby league through the dedicated service and support of her sons, Adrian Chow, Chairman of the PNG National Rugby League Competition and Ian Chow, owner of the Lae Snax Tigers.

“The rugby league family in PNG has lost a true matriarch and a silent champion of our game, said the PNGRFL Chairman, Sandis Tsaka. Lady Colett’s kindness and wisdom nurtured generations, and her support allowed her family to become central figures in the advancement of our national sport. We are forever grateful for the selfless love and care she showed to her community.”

“At this difficult time, the PNGRFL extends its deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Adrian, Ian, and the entire Chow family, We pray that you find comfort in the cherished memories of a life so beautifully lived, and may the enduring love of your family and your faith give you strength in the days ahead”, said PNGRFL Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Hondina.

The rugby league community and people of Papua New Guinea stand in solidarity with the Chow family as they celebrate her life and bid her a final farewell.

APPROVED FOR RELEASE

🚨Media Release🚨

PNGRFL Unites for "Wan Haus" Pawa Meri Round

August 5th 2026, PORT MORESBY: The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) is proud to announce the return of the Pawa Meri Round (Women in League Round), scheduled for August 8–9, 2026. Under the theme "Strong Women, Strong Families, Strong Communities," the 2026 Pawa Meri Round embodies the "Wan Haus" (One House) spirit, bringing together the PNG Chiefs , SP PNG Hunters , the PNG National Rugby League Competition & Santos Cup - PNG National Women's Competition and, NRL in PNG - League Bilong Laif to celebrate the contributions of women in the sport and key issues affecting women.

“Pawa Meri, meaning ‘Powerful Woman,’ is about more than just acknowledging our female players, coaching staff and administrators; it’s about protecting the backbone of our community. By coming together as ‘Wan Haus,’ we promote gender equality and encourage the participation of women in our sport as one team, ‘Wan Haus’,” said PNGRFL Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Hondina.

PNG Chiefs Chief Executive Officer, Lorna McPherson, added, “We acknowledge the countless women nationwide who guide and champion our sport, from the locker room to the boardroom. As a female-led administration where the positions of Chairperson and CEO are currently occupied by women, the PNG Chiefs serve as a prime model of the impact of empowering and providing opportunities for women both on and off the field.”

This commitment to advancing women in rugby league is reflected across the game's national organisations. Collectively, 32 women are helping shape the future of rugby league across the PNG Chiefs, SP PNG Hunters, PNGRFL and NRL in PNG. This includes 7 women at the PNG Chiefs, 5 at the SP PNG Hunters, 11 at PNGRFL and 10 at NRL in PNG, demonstrating the growing leadership, expertise, and influence of women across all levels of the game.

For the first time, this year, the Pawa Meri Round will feature an alignment across all elite national competitions during the round in a unified "Wan Haus" commitment. In a powerful display of solidarity, all participating players from the SP Hunters, Digicel ExxonMobil Cup and Santos Cup will wear purple socks during their respective matches.

“It is important that we use this platform to not only celebrate women in our sport and communities, but to also use our platform to drive awareness as well. The PNG Hunters this year, through naming rights sponsor SP Brewery, will be using this round to advocate against domestic violence, which remains a significant issue affecting many women across the country,” said PNG Hunters Chief Executive
Officer, Scott Barker.

The Pawa Meri Round is an annual initiative within PNG Rugby League designed to celebrate the contributions of women as players, coaches, administrators and supporters. "Pawa Meri" embodies the resilience and community strength of PNG women, while providing a platform that goes beyond celebration to take a unified stand on key issues affecting women through advocacy and awareness campaigns.

APPROVED FOR RELEASE

🚨MEDIA RELEASE🚨

PNG Female Talents to Attend Second Consecutive Year at Harvey Norman NRL Rising Talent Invitational

PORT MORESBY, 28th July 2026: The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) is proud to announce that five elite female players and two coaching staff members from our domestic pathways have been selected to participate in the Harvey Norman NRL Rising Talent Invitational in Wagga Wagga, Australia.

This marks the second consecutive year that PNG’s emerging female talent has been invited to this prestigious event, highlighting the growing strength of the women's game. The Invitational provides a critical platform for players to showcase their skills directly in front of National Rugby League Women (NRLW) coaches and professional scouts.

The delegation, which includes some of the brightest prospects from the Santos Cup and local competitions, will depart Port Moresby for Wagga Wagga tomorrow to begin intensive testing and match-play scenarios. This exposure is a vital component of the PNGRFL's "30 x 30” PNGRFL Women’s Rugby League Strategy, aimed at bridging the gap between domestic rugby league and the professional elite level.

Tony Archer, Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the importance of this milestone for the players' development.

"Having our players and staff involved in the Rising Talent Invitational for a second year is a testament to the hard work being done on the ground in PNG," Archer said.

"This is a unique opportunity for our players to be measured against the best rising talent in Australia and the Paciifc. It is a wonderful chance to put themselves on the radar of NRLW clubs. It’s integral component in creating clear visible female pathways and real opportunities for our women to excel on the world stage".

The participation of a coach and Strength and Conditioner also ensures that the high-performance knowledge gained in Wagga Wagga is brought back to PNG to benefit future cohorts of the players and the national competition - the Santos Cup.
The Participating Delegation comprises of the dynamic back liner, Jecinta Garry of the Mt Hagen Eagles, 2025 Santos Cup, player of the year and fullback of the year, Skalyn Sil of the Goroka Lahanis, 2025 best winger and PNG Orchids debutant, Naomi Kelly, Best five eighth for 2025 Cynthia Peters of the East New Britain Gurias and Ruth Gende who also debuted for the PNG Orchids in 2025 after coming through the PNGRFL Academy pathways.

In coaching staff capacities for the invitation, Mt Hagen Eagles Head Coach, Regila Wilfred will attend as a Coach, whilst Goroka Lahanis, Debbie Kaore, attends as Strength and Conditioning Coach.

Speaking on behalf of the playing group, Skalyn Sil expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, acknowledging the organizations and individuals who have helped make the experience possible, "Thank you to PNGRFL and the NRL and PacificAus Sports for this amazing opportunity. It is an honour to be selected from PNG. Experiences like this encourage us to keep working hard and show young women and girls that they can follow their dreams through rugby league. We are very grateful for the support and belief in us."

Significantly, this will be the first all-female contingent to attend from PNG and shows the opportunities available for women through the PNGRFL pathways for both coaching staff and players.

PNGRFL extends its gratitude to the NRL and PacificAus Sports for their continued support of the Pacific pathways and for fostering an environment where PNG's female athletes can thrive.

Photo L-R: Regila Wilfred, Naomi Kelly, Jecinta Garry, Cynthia Peters, Skalyn Sil, Ruth Gende and Dabbie Kaore

APPROVED FOR RELEASE

Meet the Next Generation of Match Officials 🏉👏

At an age when most are only beginning to discover their place in rugby league, Umba Kaula and Mathlina Levi have already taken their first step towards becoming part of the game's future.

Among those who attended our recent Northern Confederate Match Officials Accreditation were two of the youngest participants, Umba Kaula and Mathlina Levi, both eager to learn what it takes to become rugby league referees.

Under the guidance of PNGRFL Game Development Officer James Tau, Umba and Mathlina embraced every session, from learning the laws of the game in the classroom to putting their skills into practice on the field.

For James, their involvement represents the importance of creating opportunities for young people to contribute to rugby league beyond playing.

"Seeing young people take an interest in refereeing is encouraging. It shows that the future of rugby league is not only in the players we develop, but also in the officials who help lead the game," he said.

Their journey is only beginning, but their decision to step forward is a reminder that every great referee, like every great player, starts with the courage to take the first step. 🏉🌱