12 April 2023
For immediate release
PAPUA NEW GUINEA NATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE COMPETITION LAUNCHES STRATEGIC PLAN 2023 -2027
The Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNG NRLC) yesterday launched its new Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027 at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
PNG Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) Chief Executive Officer Mr Stanley Hondina in his opening remarks said that the PNG NRLC is part of PNGRFL’s 6-tier program and that the strategic plan will guide the PNG NRLC to work towards further building professionalism within the organization for the next five years.
Mr Hondina thanked the Australian Government on behalf of the PNGRFL and PNG NRLC Boards through its valuable partners for the support through funding the strategic plan to get it off the ground.
Although the strategic plan was officially launched yesterday, the plan has already begun implementation with the onboarding of the new PNG NRLC team that have worked towards preparations for the 2023 Digicel ExxonMobil Cup.
PNGRFL High Performance General Manager Mr Marc Portus who designed the PNG NRLC Strategic Plan presented it to stakeholders and the media yesterday.
“Really what this plan is about is turning these 12 NRLC clubs in Papua New Guinea into the heartbeat of the game, the heartbeat of Papua New Guinean rugby league, and helping Papua New Guinea rugby league become a true world force on the international stage” Mr Portus said.
He added that these NRLC clubs need support to grow and become professional businesses and PNGRFL will partner with the PNG NRLC to help develop local elite talent.
First Secretary for Program Strategy and Gender of the Australian High Commission, Maegan Clarkson, was delighted to be present and witness the launch of the strategic plan.
“I’m very happy to be here today on behalf of the Australian Government. Australia’s sports programs promote the best of what Australia and Papua New Guinea have to share together,” Clarkson said.
“Australia through the PacificAus Sports Program is helping to develop pathways for PNG teams to compete in elite competitions, creating pathways to high performance and training, and supporting Australian teams to visit the region, this includes our funding to the Queensland Rugby League which is supporting organizational capacity and high performance programs in PNG through the PNG Rugby Football League,” she further said.
Clarkson also commended sponsors Digicel PNG and ExxonMobil PNG and all stakeholders for supporting the PNG NRLC.
PNG NRLC General Manager Mr Leith Isaac commended Mr Hondina for his leadership in ensuring the strategic plan was set out which was absent in the past years for the game of rugby league and also thanked the Australian Government for the support in the new PNG NRLC Strategic Plan.
ENDS
