The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) as it continues to reform its systems and strengthen its capabilities to support the national sport, announced its High Performance Plan yesterday at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
“On behalf of the PNGRFL Board chairman Mr. Sandis Tsaka and his board I would like to congratulate all the stakeholders both national and internationally who have been involved in the process of getting this HP Plan to its launching and implementation now,” PNGRFL Chief Executive Officer Mr. Stanley Hondina said.
“The PNGRFL is delighted to embark on this new plan as the game continues to evolve.”
“The PNGRFL has made significant progress with structural and governance reform over the last decade with the development of its “New Ireland” governance framework. This plan uses that work as a foundation to develop the high-performance area of the game,” Mr. Hondina added.
“We have been fortunate to see this plan formulated through our incoming High Performance General Manager, Mr. Marc Portus, after extensive stakeholder consultation with athletes, coaches, support staff, administrators and board members, the International Rugby League (IRL), through to the QRL and NRL in Australia.” he further added.
The five-year plan has been supported by the Australian Government through its partnership with the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) and the PacificAus Sports Program, in its efforts to expand support for high performance rugby league in PNG.
Speaking on behalf of the Australian High Commission was Counsellor for Program Strategy and Gender, Krishni Goonesena, who stressed that Australia’s sports programs bring out the best of what Australia and Papua New Guinea can share together.
“Australia through PacificAus Sports Program is helping to develop pathways for Pacific teams in elite Australian competitions, and increasing access to high performance coaching, and also supporting Australian teams to visit and compete across the region,” Goonesena said.
“PacificAus Sports Program includes funding to QRL and this is in the order of around K16 million over five years, and this funding is going towards building up organizational capacity and high performance programs in PNG, including for the Orchids and the Kumuls teams through the PNGRFL.”
“We’re pleased that some of this Australian Government funding has been able to be used to support the development of this excellent PNGRFL High Performance Plan which is being launched today,” she said.
QRL Chairman Bruce Hatcher, although unable to attend today’s launch, said today’s unveiling of the High Performance Plan was a significant development for the game in PNG.
“The High Performance Plan is a wonderful initiative, and it’s one that represents a big step forward for the game in a country that lives and breathes rugby league,” Hatcher said.
“I’d like to congratulate the PNGRFL for their foresight and efforts in bringing this plan to fruition with the support of QRL staff, who have also worked diligently in their roles within the PacificAus Sports Program.”
“This co-ordinated approach will ensure rugby league in PNG establishes and maintains higher professional standards for both male and female participants,” he said.
Representing QRL at the press conference, Manager for Government Relations, Mr Arthur Eustace-Earle spoke on the partnership between the organizations and the commitment to seeing the game grow in PNG.
“The QRL are keen to continue this relationship and would like to acknowledge the support of the PacificAus Sports Program. Today’s launch is the culmination of four years of key stakeholders working together to grow and support rugby league in PNG. We are excited about the next phase,” he said.
The High Performance Plan will be focused on deliverables under its four key pillars of Education and Training, Competitions and Pathways, Coaching and Support Services and High Performance Leadership.
The plan spans over a period of 5 years, from 2023 to 2027, seeing in the next Rugby League World Cup and its outcomes post-tournament.
PNGRFL High Performance General Manager Mr Marc Portus when presenting the plan said that it includes seeing the female game having significant priority, propagating international high-performance standards through PNG national teams and the Digicel Club system and developing the capability of staff working in high performance rugby league in PNG are all focus areas.
“This plan has been 2 years in the making with a wide range of athletes, coaches, sponsors, administrators and stakeholders being interviewed and consulted. The High Performance plan will work from the substantial platform of change the PNGRFL has laid over the last few years and I’m very proud to be a part of this significant body of work. It should be a game changer for the game of rugby league in PNG,” Mr Portus said.