What started as a dream for a former Rugby League Player, Mr. Stanley Olo is now growing from strength to strength and reaching more kids in the Nation’s Capital, giving them a career path in Rugby League.
Mr. Olo, who was one of the rugby household names who had played for Mendi Muruks, Rabaul Gurias, Lae Snax Tigers, Hela Wigmen, is now runny a Rugby League Pathway Program for kids age 7 to 14 years old.
Olo even had bit of fair chance running balls in Natingiah Matevera Sea Eagles club in Cook Island back in 2019.
After retiring from Rugby League, Mr. Olo started this program last year 2024 and it has gain momentum in less than a year.
Olo who came from a humble background growing up in 2mile, YWCA settlement said that he knows how much young kids love rugby league, but to get proper training is another thing.
Olo said there is a big gap in rugby league in terms of development in the country, thus he is now trying to fill in this gap by starting the S.O League Agency and Academy Program.
The S.O League Agency and Academy Program is a development pathway program for all kids, especially the under privileged kids who grew up in settlements and love rugby league, to get into this program and start their career.
“Most kids in settlements come from broken homes, most are street kids, but when you talk about rugby league, they smile because they love it and are crazy about rugby league,” said Mr. Ollo.
“This program has the under- 10 category, under- 13 category and the under- 14 category for both boys and girls, and right now, we have about 116 teams in this league.”
Olo also mentioned that the S.O League has now affiliated to PNG Rugby Football League, aiming to development skills and talents as young as 7 years old.
He started the league with 38 teams in Moresby South last year but got interest from all 3 districts in the Nation’s Capital and today about 116 teams in total from Moresby South, North- East and North-West, are all taking part in the league.
“Right now, our competitions are happening at Unagi oval every weekend and Hohola Suk Suk Park, but we reserve competition in Moresby South due to security reasons but teams from Moresby South are participating in the two suburbs.”
“Mr. Olo highlighted pathways programs, stating that after Under 14, selections are made for players to go on join the PNGNRL Bid selection side, and then they continue to Under 17 and Under 19 in the Port Moresby Rugby League Competition and then further in the Digicel competition and so on.”
“This is an academic program for rugby league and is totally different from the School Boys Rugby League program because for this program underprivilege kids who are not in school can play.”
“This is where we create and grow talents from as young as 7 years old, so unfortunate kids can have a future, a career in life in rugby league.”