Women’s National Conference football in Papua New Guinea has come to the Highlands, after the first games of the Highlands Conference of the Women’s National Conference Soccer League 2022 took place over the Easter weekend. Whilst the three other conferences that make up PNG’s Women’s National Conference League – the Southern Conference, Northern Conference and NGI Conference – were already in full flow, bringing the league to the Highlands is considered a big step forward for the women’s game in PNG. The Highlands Conference will be contested between six teams – Mommers FC, Goroka FC, Simbu Ambai FC, SHP FC, Hagen FC and Kuri FC. The action got underway over the Easter weekend, with round one and two matches played at the Kimininga Police Barracks Oval in Mount Hagen. Mommers lead the way after two games, after beating Simbu Ambai 7-0 and SHP 2-0. Hagen are currently in second after following up their round one 5-1 win over Kuri with a 1-1 draw against Simbu Ambai. Kuri drew their round two game with Goroka 1-1 to ensure they also have points on the board after the first round of historic fixtures. Whilst the results will catch the eye, just having women’s football of this level in the Highlands region is considered a big win for the Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA). The PNGFA have helped facilitate the new league, providing balls, training cones and ball pumps to all six teams – as they have with those in the other conferences. “The women taking part are now part of football history in the Highlands region,” PNGFA vice-president Francis Ank is quoted as saying on the PNGFA Facebook page, in which he commends PNGFA president John Kapi Natto and general secretary Pius Letenge for following through with their vision. With the commencement of the Highlands Conference, the Women’s National Conference is now in full flow. After five rounds of the Southern Conference, NCD Hekari United FC currently lead the way with 15 points from a possible 15, scoring an impressive 42 goals in the process. The Northern Conference is currently led by Lahi Power FC on 10 points after four games just ahead of Bara FC on nine points in second. After four rounds of fixtures in the NGI Conference Kiara FC are top with a 100 per cent record following a midweek 3-1 win over nearest rivals Hamatana FC. The Women’s National Conference Soccer League 2022 continues this weekend.