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PNGRFL NRLC FIVE YEAR PLAN

This strategic plan for the PNG National Rugby League Competition (NRLC) is a culmination of system wide stakeholder consultation, public survey and strategic review of the NRLC – “Digicel
Cup” – competition.
Whilst being immensely popular with a dedicated loyal fan base, the competition needs increased attention and investment into its fundamental operations. In the short term this includes
improved planning, enhanced competition frameworks, the adoption of a salary cap and a player contracting structure, improved player pathways along with the gradual introduction of U19 and
senior female competition tiers.
Once these fundamentals are in place, but only then, can PNGRFL seek to expand the NRLC to facilitate the national growth of the game and improve access to the game for fans across the
country. In conjunction with the PNGRFL’s High Performance plan, medium term work will focus on a NRLC club capability drive, supporting clubs to become viable professional rugby league
businesses and regional centres of rugby league excellence. A strong NRLC competition, and thriving member clubs, are considered a key platform for the PNG rugby league to be a sustainable
force on the international stage.
This plan has a targeted focus on the central management of the NRLC competition and on the Digicel Cup clubs themselves. This focus will enable them to become PNGRFL’s driving hubs of the
rugby league high-performance ecosystem, while also fulfilling a critical nexus point for junior pathways and local development programs for PNG’s favourite sport.
To deliver this plan detailed budgets have been calculated, with the total cost being projected to be AU$21.1M (49.7M Kina) over the five-year span of the plan (2023-2027).

NRLC Clubs to play a key role in the future of PNG rugby league

Club Professionalism

Digicel
PNG NRL

Rugby League Teams

Initiative Features Proposed Outcomes Accountabilities
Club High Performance Capability Program
  • PNGRFL HP Initiative
  • High Performance Audit and capability profile
  • Uses external expertise plus NRL / QRL
  • HP Club Success Profile Developed
  • Capability Gap Analysis for each club
  • Foundation for HP Hub concept
  • PNGRFL GM – HP
  • PNGRFL MCP
  • PNGRFL MPP
  • NRLC Club Management
Pathways Leadership & Presence
  • NRLC clubs' partner with PNGRFL to take proactive approach to pathways leading to Digicel Cup
  • Content largely driven by PNGRFL Community Rugby League plan
  • NRLC clubs take local pathways management responsibility with PNGRFL support and resources
  • Pathways develop logical structure and progression opportunities for young boys and girls
  • Skills and fitness standards propagated through pathways
  • PNGRFL GD Department
  • PNGRFL – NRLC GD Officers
  • NRLC Club Management
Governance & Management
  • Targeted programs (e.g., like Sport Australia offerings) to improve club board governance, strategic planning & leadership
  • General Manager positions supported by PNGRFL
  • External management expertise
  • Commercial focus and skills development
  • Clear and transparent governance in line with international sport standards
  • Clubs launch their own strategic plans
  • Lays platform for commercial revenue growth at club level
  • Each club to have full-time General Manager appointed for 2024
  • PNGRFL CEO & Board
  • PNGRFL MPP
  • NRLC Club Management
Fan Membership & Community Engagement
  • Embrace social & digital media platforms
  • Club merchandise
  • Membership offerings
  • Local community initiatives identified, and club supports as appropriate
  • Game day experience programs
  • Growing membership base
  • Increased fan insight to athletes, club and teams
  • Great game day experience for families, supporters and sponsors
  • Digital media metrics growth
  • NRLC Club Board and Management
  • PNGRFL Commercial
Commercial Growth
  • Clubs develop new revenue streams through events, facilities, merchandise, sponsorships, overnment and partnerships
  • Club strategic plans developed
  • Clubs become more financially independent and in position to invest back into game (i.e. HP operations, athlete welfare, talent ID, athlete development, local grassroots initiatives)
  • NRLC Club Boards and Management
  • KPI for club General Manager from 2024 onwards

Coaching & Officiating

Development and accreditation of coaches, sports trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, physiotherapists, match officials and referees is pillar 2 of the NRLC five-year plan. It is a significant initiative and, if resourced and managed well, will be responsible for closing the gap between PNG rugby league and world class standards.

Feedback has been consistent that the style of the domestic game in PNG needs to evolve to include contemporary attacking and defensive styles, and to increase the speed of the game closer to international standards.

Improved refereeing, coaching and support staff skills will play a significantly role here, providing the platforms and support for PNG rugby league athletes to develop their skills, game knowledge and physical capacities.

This initiative is common to the PNGRFL HP Plan, which will take a system wide approach to this area, falling under the Performance People pillar and the responsibility of the PNGRFL Manager Performance People. International expertise (e.g., NRL/QRL) with dedicated management from the PNGRFL HP department will help make it happen.

Initiative Features Proposed Outcomes Accountabilities
Coach Development Program
  • Dedicated Coach Development Program for Digicel Cup Coaches and targeted local and regional coaches in pathway
  • Initiative of PNGRFL HP Department as per PNGRFL HP Plan - Performance People Pillar
  • PNGRFL Elite coaches also part of program
  • Uses expertise from NRL and QRL
  • Accreditation, monitoring and exchange programs
  • Upgraded coach education and development propagates through system via NRLC Clubs
  • More evolved game style develops through PNG rugby league
  • Review and assessment process conducted by external expert body (e.g., NRL/QRL contractors or similar)
  • PNGRFL GD Department
  • PNGRFL HP Department
  • PNGRFL MPP
  • NRLC Club Coaches
  • NRL / QRL experts
Performance Services Development Program
  • International standard upskilling and accreditation in:
  • Sports Trainer (e.g., Sports Medicine Australia/NRL)
  • S&C Coaching (e.g., Australian Strength & Conditioning Association)
  • Sports Physiotherapy (e.g., SMA/APA)
  • Direct support for athletes on the field and in preparation closes the gap to international standards
  • Review and assessment process conducted by external expert body (e.g., NRL/SMA/ASCA/APA)
  • PNGRFL HP Department
  • PNGRFL MPP
  • NRL / QRL
  • Contractors
  • PNGRFL GD Department
Refereeing & Officiating Program
  • Dedicated education and upskilling program for Digicel Cup referees and officials
  • Initiative of PNGRFL HP Department as per PNGRFL HP Plan – Performance People Pillar
  • Uses expertise from NRL and QRL
  • Accreditation, monitoring and exchange programs
  • PNG referees and officials close the gap on international standards
  • Digicel Cup competition speeds up to international standards
  • Review and assessment process conducted by external expert body (e.g., NRL/QRL)
  • PNGRFL appoints full-time Referees Manager in 2023
  • PNGRFL GD Department
  • PNGRFL HP Department
  • PNGRFL MPP
  • PNGRFL Referees Manager
  • NRL / QRL experts

Competition Pathways

A key philosophy behind the Competition Pathways pillar of the NRLC plan is that Club pathways are also PNGRFL pathways. This entails a longer term partnership approach between NRLC Clubs, the PNGRFL, Confederates and the school rugby league system, which is further outlined in the PNGRFL Community Rugby League plan (due late 2022).

This will allow the sharing of precious resources and PNGRFL investment across all aspects of the community rugby league system, regardless of whether a child is in a school system, a local league or both. This NRLC Competition Pathways initiative will provide clear entry points for young male and female rugby league players into PNG’s domestic premier competition.

A significant initiative will be the introduction of female teams into the NRLC at 4-6 selected clubs in 2025. This will be co-delivered across the PNGRFL HP and PNGRFL NRLC departments, in partnership with NRLC clubs. In 2026 there is a planned introduction of an U19 grade in the NRLC for males and in 2027 an U19 grade for females. These initiatives are in response to strong feedback that improved pathway competition opportunities are required in the PNG rugby league system.

The important work of improved junior pathways will be driven further through younger age groups through the PNGRFL Community Rugby League plan.

Initiative Features Proposed Outcomes Accountabilities
Senior Female Competition
  • Four to six clubs feature in inaugural year of female NRLC in 2025
  • Games play same day same ground in match day program of events
  • Expansion of more evolved clubs to accommodate female programs
  • Improved female talent identification for female rugby league players
  • Improved player development for female players
  • Social leadership role for women in sport
  • Stronger playing talent supply for future female Hunters and Orchids squads

PNGRFL NRLC Dept.

PNGRFL HP Dept.
U19 Male Competition
  • Ten clubs feature in inaugural year of U19 Male NRLC in 2026
  • Games play same day same ground in match day program of events
  • Expansion of more evolved clubs to accommodate u19 programs
  • Improved bench strength for male Digicel first grade sides
  • Better pathways articulation from grassroots initiatives into semi-professional rugby league player
  • Improved junior development practices and propagation of high[1]performance standards

PNGRFL NRLC Dept.

PNGRFL HP Dept.
U19 Female Competition
  • Six clubs feature in inaugural year of U19 Female NRLC in 2027
  • Games play same day same ground in match day program of events
  • Expansion of more evolved clubs to accommodate u19 programs
  • Improved bench strength for female Digicel first grade sides
  • Better pathways articulation from grassroots initiatives into semi-professional rugby league player
  • Improved junior development practices and propagation of high performance standards

PNGRFL NRLC Dept.

PNGRFL HP Dept.

Competition Management

Competition management is where the short-term priorities lie for the PNGRFL, and if executed well, this pillar will make quick and significant impacts to the professionalism of the NRLC. Five key initiatives define this pillar:

  1. Aligning the NRLC draw to Australia’s NRL draw (including rep/split rounds as applicable)
  2. The development of an enforceable NRLC participation framework for clubs,
  3. A game day experience function,
  4. A national contracting and salary cup framework,
  5. Player welfare and performance lifestyle education programs.

These initiatives will lay the foundation for the PNG game to close the gaps on international standards. The player welfare and performance lifestyle initiatives will fall under the jurisdiction of the PNGRFL HP team and plan and have already been budgeted.

The club participation framework will be a significant piece of work for the PNGRFL NRLC team. Outlining criteria for clubs to be accepted and continue competing in the competition, including expectations from athlete preparation and support, game day operations, right through to Board Governance will feature.

Initiative Features Proposed Outcomes Accountabilities
NRL – IRL Aligned Draw
  • Dovetail NRLC around Australia’s NRL
  • Scheduling/Rep/Split round accommodation for Australia’s SOO and the new PNG Origin
  • Ride the NRL ‘coat-tails’
  • Start NRLC competition earlier
  • Increased certainty for players, clubs, sponsors and media
  • Provides more context for Digicel Cup player performances
  • Provides new revenue opportunities in and around NRLC
  • PNGRFL NRLC Team
NRLC Participation Framework
  • Consult with clubs to review participation framework for NRLC (adopt aspects from QRL / NSWRL)
  • Rewrite and relaunch conditional criteria for clubs to participate in NRLC
  • Standards and benchmarks set for clubs to participate – will help competition evolve
  • Helps manage expectations of clubs
  • Will improve preparation and performance
  • Local game day operations manuals
  • PNGNRLC Team
  • Digicel Cup Clubs
  • PNGRFL NRLC Board
Game Day Experience
  • Crowd security, safety and enjoyment
  • Parking and transport systems
  • National infrastructure plan addresses the fan experience
  • Entertainment and incentives for fans
  • Digital media for internal stakeholders (team reviews)
  • Crowds and fans feel safe and secure
  • Crowd attendances are up
  • Fans are engaged with game and supplementary initiatives
  • Fan revenue growth
  • PNGNRLC Team
  • PNGRFL Commercial
  • PNGRFL GM- HP
  • Cross-reference PNGRFL infrastructure plan project
NRLC Player Contracting & Salary Cap System
  • NRLC Salary Cap System
  • PNGRFL National Contracting Framework
  • Increased transparency for clubs and players
  • Improved remuneration and certainty for players over time
  • Improved player preparation
  • Higher quality rugby league in NRLC
  • PNGNRLC Team
  • PNGRFL GM-HP
  • NRLC Clubs
  • Consultation and collaboration across stakeholders
  • External expertise
PNGRFL Player Welfare Program
  • Player Lifestyle and Wellbeing Program as per PNGRFL HP Plan
  • Women in Rugby League Program as per PNGRFL HP Plan - starts in Orchids national programs then propagates to Digicel Cup as female teams introduced
  • Improved knowledge and skills for athletes in performance lifestyles for optimum athletic performance
  • Holistic athlete development with complementary off-field care and development
  • PNGRFL HP Plan
  • PNGRFL MPP
  • External expertise contracted through PNGRFL HP Department

Proposed PNGRFL NRLC Administrative Structure From 2023

PNGRFL Organization Chart

Proposed PNGRFL NRLC Administrative Structure From 2023