Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says the Papua New Guinea Chiefs franchise will serve not only as a pathway for Papua New Guinean rugby league talent but also as a regional development platform for young players across the Pacific.
The Prime Minister said the Government was committed to ensuring that the historic investment in the PNG Chiefs would strengthen rugby league throughout the region while creating opportunities for both male and female players.
Prime Minister Marape thanked the Australian Government and the National Rugby League (NRL) for their substantial investment in junior rugby league development and for supporting pathways that will benefit young Pacific athletes.
“I want to sincerely thank the Australian Government and the National Rugby League for their significant investment in junior rugby league development and for creating opportunities that extend beyond Papua New Guinea to the wider Pacific family,” Prime Minister Marape said.
He said Papua New Guinea would work closely with fellow Pacific rugby league nations, including Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Niue and the Cook Islands, to strengthen junior competitions and establish a regional talent pool linked to the PNG Chiefs pathway.
“While our franchise proudly carries the PNG name, we see the Chiefs as a platform that will create opportunities for the best young rugby league players across the Pacific.
“We want our junior competitions to be connected, our development systems aligned, and our young players given every opportunity to reach the highest level of the game.”
Prime Minister Marape said the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) would engage with its counterparts throughout the Pacific to establish stronger partnerships in player development, coaching, talent identification and elite pathways.
“Our rugby league family extends throughout the Pacific, and we will work together so that outstanding young players from Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Niue and the Cook Islands can also see the Chiefs pathway as an opportunity to develop their careers.”
The Prime Minister also announced plans to strengthen rugby league links with Far North Queensland, particularly communities north of Cairns and the traditional Melanesian communities of the Torres Strait Islands.
He said the region had produced many outstanding rugby league players over the years and remained an important part of the broader rugby league landscape connected to Papua New Guinea.
“I will be speaking with the Mayor of Cairns and the Premier of Queensland to explore stronger sporting partnerships with Far North Queensland.
“We have close historical and cultural links with the Torres Strait Islands, and we want to work together in developing young rugby league talent from both sides of our shared region.
“Far North Queensland has produced world-class players, and we see great value in working together to strengthen junior competitions and talent identification.”
Prime Minister Marape said the Chiefs’ recruitment and development system would include both boys and girls, ensuring strong pathways into the franchise’s men’s and women’s programmes.
“We want a complete development system that identifies, nurtures and prepares our future male and female stars through quality coaching, education and competition.”
The Prime Minister said the National Government had demonstrated its long-term commitment to rugby league through unprecedented investment in infrastructure and player development.
“The PNG Government has already invested more than K100 million into the Chiefs programme, particularly the construction of our world-class Centre of Excellence. A further K100 million has been allocated in this year’s Budget to continue building the programme.
“This investment is complemented by Australia’s support, and we deeply appreciate the Australian Government’s partnership in helping establish a sustainable rugby league future for Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.
“Our vision is much bigger than simply fielding a team in the NRL. We are building a lasting sporting legacy that will inspire young people, strengthen regional partnerships and create opportunities for generations of Pacific Islanders through rugby league.”