The Australian Government’s ongoing sporting diplomacy among its neighbours in Oceania has seen Federal Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy announce a $5.5 million funding initiative to support Papua New Guinea's pathway to having a team in Australia's NRL competition.
Visiting Papua New Guinea last week, the investment into PNG’s rugby league pathways, Minister Conroy explained that the funding “will support player pathways and a talent academy for PNG youth, recognising their great potential and passion for the game (and) will also help develop the business case for a PNG team to play in the NRL.
“We supported the PM’s 13 games, and we also announced the support to have annual schools girls and boys in PNG and Australia.”
Noting a vision to see a PNG team enter the NRL competition successfully after 2025, Minister Conroy advised “we want to see that happen and a new NRL team in PNG.”
PNG NRL Bid board Chairman Wapu Sonk said the committees are working on getting the licence in 2025 and vying to participate in 2027.
He added “basically the bid, since April last year when the board of directors were appointed, we have been working with stakeholders and Australia stakeholders, NRL and Australian partners.
“This is the second round and also to get the structures right so it will stand up for the corporate compliance.
“The NRL bid is actually a company we are creating, not just a team. We want to get the governance right.
“Where we are now is the launching. The announcement last year was the expression of desire to have a team in the NRL. Now we are ready to work and start the program.”
Minister Conroy went on to state “(this) is the next step in our support for rugby league in PNG, building on long-running support for the sport at the grassroots, through development programs like League for Life, and high-performance programs under PacificAus Sports.
“Talent identification and player development are a critical part of developing a competitive and sustainable PNG NRL team.
“Australia and Papua New Guinea share a passion for rugby league, and we know how important having an NRL team is for the people of PNG. Our countries are the close neighbours and friends and there's huge potential for rugby league to bring our countries even closer together.”
The Federal Government’s support for the PNG bid is a part of using sporting diplomacy to reinforce historic ties in the South West Pacific.
Images: Federal Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy(holding yellow jersey) in PNG last week (top) and Minister Conroy (below).
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
Read more from this author
Related Articles
25th April 2023 - Papua New Guinea restores its connection to the PGA Tour of Australasia
26th September 2022 - Australian Government expands its support for rugby league in Papua New Guinea
16th October 2021 - Indonesia’s 20th National Sports Week successfully held in Papua Province for first time
1st February 2019 - Australian Government launches strategy for sporting diplomacy
20th January 2019 - Research highlights the destructive impact on Papuan National Parks from road construction
16th May 2018 - AFL Shanghai fixture part of wider sporting diplomacy
5th November 2017 - Rugby League World Cup enjoys second sell out in Port Moresby
16th August 2017 - Rugby League World Cup to offer ‘family friendly’ ticket prices for PNG
3rd May 2017 - A year of sport dominates Papua New Guinea
15th September 2016 - Three women to manage Papua New Guinea’s Under 20 Women’s World Cup stadiums
16th February 2016 - New National Football Stadium opens in Papua New Guinea
12th October 2015 - Papua New Guinea prepares for FIFA Under 20 Women’s World Cup hosting
16th September 2015 - Gunnebo to provide admission control for redeveloped Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby
23rd July 2015 - Papua New Guinea announces bid for Commonwealth Games as Pacific Games end on a high
26th June 2015 - Sport at the heart of Australian ‘soft diplomacy’
30th March 2015 - Women behind the delivery of PNG’s Pacific Games
22nd June 2010 - Gould Backs Papua New Guinea NRL Bid
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
