The National Rugby League (NRL) in Papua New Guinea, in partnership with the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL), the Australian Government through Team Up, and the PNG-Australia Partnership, hosted a special event today at the Sir John Guise Indoor Complex in celebration of International Women’s Day. Under the 2025 theme, “Accelerating Action”, the event focused on empowering young girls through sports and life skills. One hundred female students from ten selected schools in Port Moresby participated in a day filled with learning, mentorship, and fun rugby-related activities. Inspiring Keynote Address was the notable guest speaker, Ms. Della Audama, one of the pioneering PNG Orchids players from 2017 and now the PNGRFL High-Performance Female Coordinator, shared her journey in rugby league and encouraged the girls to embrace opportunities in sports and beyond. Skill-Based Activities – Participants engaged in structured drills designed to teach not only rugby league basics but also essential life values such as teamwork, leadership, and confidence. Power Meri Screening – The girls watched Power Meri, a documentary showcasing the struggles and triumphs of PNG’s female rugby players, followed by discussions on women’s empowerment in sports. Celebratory Cake Cutting – The event concluded with the symbolic cutting of the International Women’s Day cake and a token of appreciation to the schools, with each receiving two rugby league balls to promote the sport among students. Speaking on the event’s purpose, PNG NRL Lead Games Development Officer, Lancy Laki, emphasized the importance of creating safe spaces for young girls to explore their potential in sports. “This event is about more than just rugby league." "It’s about showing these young girls that they belong, that they have a voice, and that they are capable of achieving greatness—just like their male counterparts,” Laki said. Over the years, the NRL in PNG has seen increasing support for female participation in sports, with more teachers, fathers, and male students attending and encouraging the girls. While the event focused on fun learning experiences rather than competitive matches, it reinforced the message that girls have a place in rugby league and all areas of life. Funded through the Australian Government’s Team Up initiative, PNG NRL has been running sports-for-development programs since 2013, using rugby league as a tool to teach values and promote gender equality. With continued backing from PNGRFL, Team Up, and the PNG-Australia Partnership, the initiative aims to expand its reach and inspire more young girls to break barriers in sports and leadership.