The Digicel ExxonMobil Cup closed off another successful year of rugby league last evening with the Awards Night to recognize the players, coaches, clubs, match officials, and people that performed exceptionally well this year over the course of the 2023 season. Papua New Guinea (PNG) National Rugby League (NRL) Chairman, Mr. Adrian Chow said rugby league wouldn’t be fun and exciting without the people that make it happen, that provide the entertainment for the many rugby league fans out there. “These performances and achievements remind us all of the importance of dedication, skills and teamwork. They also inspire and motivate us,” said the PNG NRL Chairman. Mr. Chow took the time also to extend his gratitude to the clubs and players that participated and making the 2023 season a memorable one. Ms. Lorna McPherson, the Senior Vice President for Digicel also had her say on the competition and the recognition of the many talents in rugby league. But, most importantly, she said rugby league is more than just a sport. “We recognize rugby league as a sport that also promotes discipline, build character and encourage good sportsmanship.” That is why she is adamant to see the development of rugby league at the lower level up to the senior level and the further development of women rugby league competitions into a more semiprofessional status like the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup. Nevertheless, the Awards Night saw about 10 categories; Top Try Scorer, Top Points Scorer, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, Club of the Year, Team of the Year, Player of the Year, PNGRFL Fulltime Reserve Excellence Award, People’s Choice Award and Referee of the Year Award. The winners and awardees of the season are as follows. · Top Try Scorer- Cyril Seba, Hela Wigmen · Top Point Scorer- Elizah Rotinga, Kimbe Cutters · Rookie of the Year- Manu Sent, Goroka Lahanis · Coach of the Year- Billy Gau, Enga Mioks · Club of the Year- EPG Enga Mioks The Team of the Year category recognizes the best players in each position to form the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup. The awardees are as follows. · Fullback of the Year- Junior Bobby, Central Dabaris · Winger of the Year- Cyril Seba, Hela Wigmen · Halfback of the Year- Solomon Pokare, Hela Wigmen · Hooker of the Year- Nathan Tente, ENB Gurias · Centre of the Year- Elizah Rotinga, Kimbe Cutters · Five-Eight of the Year- Garry James, Enga Mioks · Prop of the Year- Ishmael Waine, Mendi Muruks · Second Rower of the Year- Atua Joshua, Hela Wigmen · Lock of the Year- Supa Kokote, Enga Mioks Looking at the remaining categories, the Player of the Year Award went to Garry James of the Enga Mioks. For the PNGRFL Fulltime Reserve Excellence Award, which recognizes the distinguish services to rugby league and chosen by the PNGRFL Chairman, was awarded to Eastern Highlands Governor Simon Sia, who happens to be the franchise owner of the Goroka Lahanis. For the last two awards for the night, the People’s Choice Award went to Robert Mathias of the Lae Snax Tigers and the Referee of the Year Award was given to Leonard Alphonse.