Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League

🚨MEDIA RELEASE 🚨

Girls In League Gala-Day - Community Rugby League promotes junior programs

Port Moresby, 13th May 2026: Community Rugby League (CRL) hosted a successful Girls in League gala day at the Sir John Guise Stadium, showcasing the organisation’s commitment to grassroots rugby league development, female participation, and inclusive junior programs in the National Capital District.

The event highlighted two key junior initiatives — the newly introduced Female
League Tag and the Mini and Modified (Mini Mod) competition — both aimed at
increasing participation and strengthening development pathways for young players in NCD.

PNGRFL Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Hondina, said PNGRFL, through its
Community Rugby League Department and Girls in League division, is committed to carefully and positively introducing female participants to rugby league, particularly at the junior level.

“Building and strengthening community participation is a key priority within our
overall strategy and long-term plans for the growth of the female game in Papua
New Guinea,” Hondina said.

“Activities such as gala days provide an important opportunity for girls to experience rugby league in a fun, safe and supportive environment, while being guided through the fundamentals of the game.”

The day began with 20 young female participants taking part in development drills
conducted by CRL game development officers. The training sessions focused on
teaching the girls the fundamental skills of rugby league, including catching and
passing, side stepping, movement, communication, and correct play-the-ball
techniques.

Following the drills, participants took part in a trial League Tag match where they
were able to put their newly learned skills into practice in a safe and inclusive
environment.

League Tag is a non-contact version of rugby league designed to encourage greater female participation in the game. Instead of tackling, players remove tags attached to opponents to stop play, making the sport more accessible while still teaching the core skills and structure of rugby league.

The introduction of the Female League Tag competition forms part of the continued efforts by CRL and PNGRFL to strengthen female participation and create clearer development pathways for girls within the sport.

Another major feature of the gala day was the Mini Mod competition, which attracted 100 young boys and girls aged between six and twelve years from teams
representing the Moresby North East, Moresby North West, and Moresby South
electorates.

Mini Mod is a modified version of rugby league designed for younger players,
focusing on participation, enjoyment, safety, and the development of basic rugby
league skills.

Throughout the day, young participants competed in modified matches and skills-
based activities under the supervision of coaches and volunteers, with assistance
from game development officers from the PNGRF-Commununity Rugby League’s
and NRL’s League Bilong Laif program. Parents and supporters also turned out in strong numbers, creating a positive and family-friendly atmosphere at the stadium.

Speaking during the event, Girls in League Manager, Della Audama said the gala
day was organised to highlight the enthusiasm and talent of young girls and boys in
NCD while promoting inclusive participation through rugby league.

“Our junior programs are inclusive, promoting participation of young women, girls
and boys, including the wider community.”

Audama said the event also provided an opportunity to officially showcase the
new Female League Tag competition, which CRL plans to pilot in Port Moresby
before expanding further.

“Today is about showcasing our new Female League Tag competition and to show
the talent we have. We will pilot this in NCD with the aim of rolling this competition
out,” she said.

She added that the gala day was also used to promote the importance of Mini Mod
program’s proper player registration processes, safeguarding measures, and child-
safe standards within junior rugby league competitions.

“We also wanted to use the occasion to promote Mini Mod, demonstrating the
importance of compliance with player and team registration, including safeguarding and child-safe standards, and developing basic rugby league skills at a young age.”

Audama confirmed that both the Female League Tag and Mini Mod competitions will be rolled out together across the three districts of NCD, with selected venues to host both competitions at the same time.

The rollout forms part of PNGRFL’s broader focus on strengthening community
rugby league programs and expanding opportunities for young players, particularly
girls and women, to participate in the sport.

Audama believes the programs will not only increase participation numbers but
also help identify and develop future rugby league talent at the grassroots level.
The successful hosting of the Girls in League gala day highlighted the growing
interest in female and junior rugby league participation in NCD and reinforced
Community Rugby League’s commitment to building inclusive and sustainable
development pathways across the city.

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PNGRFL - CRL (Game Development) 💪🏉

Our CRL Game Development Officers across all confederates (Southern, Northern, Upper and Lower Highlands, and New Guinea Islands) are actively carrying out development activities throughout late April and early May. Here are pictures highlighting their visits to communities, villages, schools, and local rugby league competitions within their respective regions as part of the new game development approach (for schools) being rolled out this year. The visits are including skills sessions for referees and school-aged children, while continuing ongoing efforts to strengthen grassroots rugby league across the country. 🏉🇵🇬

In the Southern Confederate, officers are currently focusing on the Referees Development and Accreditation Program aimed at upskilling referees and strengthening their knowledge and understanding of officiating. Beginner referees are undergoing practical training sessions covering key areas such as positioning, flag signals, whistle control, verbal communication and body language signals, as well as touch judging techniques. Skills development sessions are also being conducted for participants, focusing on Grip & Carry and tackle technique fundamentals. This approach will continue across the Southern Confederate, with targeted schools, communities, and villages expected to undergo the program.📚✅

Within the Northern Confederate, development officers are continuing to deliver grassroots rugby league skills programs through community and school engagement activities, with a strong emphasis on improving player fundamentals and game awareness through Grip & Carry and tackle technique sessions. 💪🔥
Meanwhile, in the Highlands Confederate, development activities are including the official launching at Kerowagi RFL alongside Kerowagi league referees, further strengthening referee development pathways and reinforcing the importance of structured game management within local competitions. 🤝🏉

Across the New Guinea Islands (NGI) Confederate, officers are also delivering rugby league skills sessions concentrating on Grip & Carry and tackle technique, helping young players build confidence and develop core rugby league fundamentals at the grassroots level. 🏃‍♂️💯

📰MEDIA RELEASE

PNGRFL ANNOUNCE CRAIG SANDERCOCK AS SANTOS PNG ORCHIDS HEAD COACH

Port Moresby, 01 May 2026: The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Craig Sandercock as the new Head Coach of the Santos PNG Orchids, effective immediately. Sandercock, who is currently the Head Coach of the Wests Tigers NRLW team, brings a wealth of elite-level experience to the Orchids program as they prepare for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.

Sandercock has an impressive coaching pedigree, including previous roles with the Manly Sea Eagles, Newcastle Knights, Hull KR (Super League), and various international programs. He was instrumental in the development of Canterbury Bulldogs Women’s Program prior to their entry into the NRLW competition in 2025. His appointment signals a major step in the ongoing professionalization and development of the national women's team.

Sandercock is committed to working closely with the PNGRFL to ensure that his experience and his coaching knowledge and skills are shared with PNG based coaches, support staff and players to continue to grow the female game nationally.

PNGRFL Chairman, Sandis Tsaka, expressed his excitement about the new appointment. "We are delighted to welcome Craig Sandercock to lead the Orchids. Craig's experience in the NRLW competition, coupled with his background in the Super League, makes him the ideal candidate to take the Orchids to the next level. His commitment to developing players and building a strong team culture aligns perfectly with our vision for the future of women’s rugby league in PNG."

Sandercock commented on his new role: “I am genuinely excited by the opportunity to coach the PNG Orchids. Having lived in Papua New Guinea for two years as a small child, this role feels like a full-circle moment for me. I am impressed by the potential of the local players — their natural talent, athleticism, and passion for rugby league are outstanding. I look forward to working with all the players to harness that potential, build a competitive squad, and prepare strongly for the World Cup.”

The PNGRFL would also like to extend its thanks to the professional and support of the Wests Tiger throughout this process. Sandercock is working closely with the PNGRFL High-Performance Unit and the local coaching staff to identify and prepare a strong squad for the RLWC.

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🚨 OFFICIAL NOTICE: PNGRFL Community Rugby League Player Registration Deadline 🏉🇵🇬

Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League reminds all sanctioned affiliates and associates that player registrations for the 2026 season will officially close on Friday, 1st May 2026 🗓.

This deadline is strictly enforced, and no late registrations will be accepted under any circumstances. 📅

Leagues and clubs are required to complete all compliance and registration obligations on time to remain eligible for official league and club kits as a performance incentive. ✅📋🏉🎽

See notice details below. 👇🏽📄

Historic moment for the PNGRFL today and the future of our game!

Our first ever national youth girls take the field today and Under 17 boys!

PNGRFL - Community Rugby League (Girls In League) 🌺🏈

Girls in League National Manager Della Audama led a six-day visit to Daru in Western Province, marking the completion of the Southern Confederate Audit following earlier visits to leagues across NCD, Central, and Gulf provinces. 🏈📍

The visit delivered a comprehensive Girls in League audit across the province, while also reinforcing pathways, governance, and participation at both district and provincial levels.📊🤝

As part of the program, Girls in League Manager Della Audama led the engagement, while Lead Participation Officer Karo Kauna conducted league affiliation awareness and compliance campaigns. These sessions focused on educating local competitions on proper structures, registration processes, and alignment with national standards.📘✅

At the same time, Martin Ingirin facilitated a conference with the Western Provincial Rugby League Board, focusing on PNGRFL and Community Rugby League operations. Key discussions addressed strengthening coordination, governance, and support mechanisms for district leagues including South Fly, Delta Fly, Middle Fly, and North Fly.🏦🗂️

Overall, the team’s visit strengthened collaboration between local leagues and the national body, while educating the board on compliance, participation, and development of rugby league, in the province.🤝📈

More updates on the outcomes of the visit will follow.🔜📰

🚨MEDIA RELEASE 🚨

PNGRFL Strengthens Grassroots Capacity Through MySideline Refresher Workshop 🏈🇵🇬

Port Moresby, 15th April 2026: The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL), through its Community Rugby League (CRL) program, has successfully concluded a MySideline refresher workshop at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby, further strengthening the administrative and operational capacity of rugby league at the grassroots level.

The workshop brought together PNGRFL’s CRL Game Development team and representatives from affiliate leagues, focusing on enhancing their understanding and practical use of the MySideline platform.

MySideline is an online sports management platform used mainly in rugby league (especially in Australia and the Pacific) to manage competitions, players, and registrations. It’s operated by National Rugby League and is used by state leagues in Australia and PNGNRLC.

Facilitated by MySideline Competitions Officer Indy Verena, the session covered key areas including participant registration, re-registration of players from previous seasons (2023–2025), linking existing player profiles, assigning players to teams, and effectively tracking player and competition statistics throughout the season.

Adding further value, NRL Digital Manager Jaime Neal joined virtually to deliver a session on competition management, providing practical guidance on how leagues can efficiently set up and manage competitions using the MySideline platform.

PNGRFL Chief Executive Officer Stanley Hondina said the workshop reflects the organisation’s continued commitment to strengthening systems and building capacity across all levels of the game.

“This workshop is a critical step in modernising how we manage and grow rugby league in Papua New Guinea. By equipping our leagues with the tools and knowledge to effectively use MySideline, we are improving the integrity of our competitions, strengthening data management and creating a more connected rugby league system nationwide.

“Our target of surpassing 25,000 registered participants in 2026 is ambitious, but with stronger systems and better-equipped administrators, we are confident in achieving sustainable growth across all regions,” Hondina said.

The workshop also marked a significant milestone for rugby league in Papua New Guinea, with the country now having full access to MySideline. This enables major affiliate leagues, including Port Moresby, Lae, Rabaul, Mt. Hagen, and Goroka Rugby Leagues, to independently manage registrations, competitions, and game-day operations.

Junior leagues will continue to work closely with CRL Participation Officers, while eight associate leagues and academies have also been granted administrative access to the platform.

With PNGRFL recording over 15,400 registered participants in 2025, the organisation is aiming to significantly increase participation in 2026 through improved systems, stronger governance, and ongoing support for leagues nationwide.

PNGRFL’s Community Rugby League will continue to roll out similar capacity-building initiatives throughout the year, ensuring leagues and administrators across the country are equipped with the necessary skills to effectively utilise MySideline and further strengthen the development of rugby league at the grassroots level.

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🚨Media Release 🚨

DIGICEL RENEWS COMMITMENT TO PNG’S PREMIER RUGBY LEAGUE COMPETITION🏉🇵🇬

Port Moresby, 08 April 2026: The Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC), proudly acknowledges and thanks Digicel PNG for its continued commitment to the growth of rugby league through the renewal of its co-naming right sponsorship of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup for a further three years (2026-2028) years.

Digicel was the naming right sponsor of the competition since 2011, playing a pivotal role in transforming the national competition into one of the most competitive and semi-professionally run sporting leagues in the Pacific. In 2023, Digicel continued its support by allowing ExxonMobil to come on board as a co-naming right sponsor and continued sponsorship as co-naming right sponsor.

Since the inception of the sponsorship, the competition has experienced significant growth — expanding from eight (8) teams to twelve (12) teams — reflecting increased participation, stronger provincial representation, and the rising standard of rugby league across the country.

The partnership has also elevated the visibility of the competition through consistent broadcast coverage on Digicel PNG owned television service Digicel TV, providing a national platform for Papua New Guinea’s homegrown talent to showcase their skills and inspiring the next generation of players.
PNGNRLC Chairman Adrian Chow acknowledged Digicel’s long-standing contribution to the game.

“Digicel has been instrumental in the evolution of our national competition. Their continued investment since 2011 has allowed us to grow from a modest eight-team competition into a strong twelve-team league that now represents the very best of rugby league in Papua New Guinea.

This renewed partnership ensures that we can continue to provide a professional platform for our players and our pathway clubs while strengthening the competition’s reach and impact across the country.”

PNGRFL Chief Executive Officer Stanley Hondina highlighted the broader impact of the partnership on the sport’s development.

“Digicel’s support goes beyond sponsorship — it is an investment in the future of rugby league in Papua New Guinea. Through improved broadcast coverage and increased visibility, our players are gaining greater exposure, and our pathways are becoming stronger. Digicel not only invests in this tier of the game but into our Kumuls and Orchids too and is a great whole of the game partner.
As the governing body, PNGRFL is committed to building a sustainable and inclusive game, and partnerships like this are critical to achieving that vision.”

The renewal of Digicel’s sponsorship reinforces confidence in the continued growth of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup and its role as a key driver of rugby league development in Papua New Guinea.

As the 2026 season gets underway, PNGNRLC looks forward to building on this strong foundation and delivering another exciting year of competition for fans across the nation.

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