One thing we do know about sporting clubs is that they are becoming increasingly more valuable. So, we are creating a franchise that will one day in the future, in the near future, have a value of somewhere between 50 and $100 million.”
Dib echoed that sentiment, predicting high sponsorship revenue.
“We have been inundated with sponsorship over in PNG and in Australia,” Dib said.
“You’ll be surprised by the number of international brands that will be on our jersey. Money won’t be an issue for us. I’m confident we’ll be at the top.”
How will the Chiefs attract big-name players?
Dib held the role of chairman at the Canterbury Bulldogs during a successful period when they reached grand finals in 2012 and 2014.
He knows players are unlikely to sign long-term contracts to join the Chiefs, but believes the financial perks could represent the opportunity of a lifetime.
“We have to be realistic. I’m confident once we get them there, and they see the facilities and what we have in mind, the vision that Peter [V’landys, ARL Commission chairman] and Andrew have got for the franchise ... that they’ll be able to enjoy the period and also gain financially and academically,” Dib said.
Ray Dib and Andrew Abdo on their way out to visit Loloata Island.
Ray Dib and Andrew Abdo on their way out to visit Loloata Island.CREDIT: MICHAEL CHAMMAS
“Not just the players but also their families. They will come back in a better financial position and ready with their next career move in mind. Let’s be honest, the players have got a limited lifespan in rugby league.
“If you’re a young bloke starting out, you want an opportunity to play in the NRL and maximise your minimum [early career] salary, that’s got to be an attraction. If you’re a player coming towards retirement, if you haven’t really established a great asset base, it’s a place that might help you in the last couple of years of your career.”
Has the tax-free incentive been signed off?
The Australian government is yet to sign off on the promised income tax exemption, but Abdo says the players have nothing to worry about.
“It’s completely tax-free in PNG,” Abdo said. “And we’re in the process of confirming the exemption for ensuring that non-resident Australians aren’t taxed in Australia.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo addressed the PNG Chiefs board last week.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo addressed the PNG Chiefs board last week.CREDIT: NRL PHOTOS
“The legislation exists already, and it’s really just around formalising that through the actual package that will be offered to these individuals.”
Residents of other countries will not be entitled to the exemption as the deal is between the Australian and PNG governments.
As a result, New Zealand and England residents will not be financially advantaged by joining the Chiefs, reducing the potential player pool.
Which players are the Chiefs chasing?
The Chiefs are set to approach the NRL to request that they be allowed to sign players from November 1 this year.
The club doesn’t want to wait until this time next year to begin building its roster and is keen to try and convince players to join the Chiefs two years before they enter the competition.
That would require a player to agree to a contract for 2028 and sign a one-year deal for 2027 with another club.
Payne Haas is a free agent as of November 1.
Payne Haas is a free agent as of November 1.CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
“We would be crazy not to engage [with players], but I just need to speak to the NRL about it and whether we’re allowed to sign future contracts if they are free agents,” Dib said.
“That’s something we’re going to have a discussion very soon about. That would be an ideal position [to talk to players from November 1 this year]. If we can do that then yeah, absolutely we should be doing that.
“If the NRL say we can do that and the player is willing to play with someone else in the interim, we’d be crazy not to see what’s available.”
That would put Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Payne Haas, Luke Metcalf, Jayden Campbell, Harry Grant and Liam Henry firmly on the Chiefs’ radar.
V’landys has also made no secret of his desire to lure Wayne Bennett to Papua New Guinea.
He may get his way because, under its constitution, the ARLC has the final say on whom the coach and chief executive will be.
Other potential targets could include Panthers coach Ivan Cleary, who is off contract at the end of 2027.
It’s also Nathan Cleary’s final year on contract at Penrith. His partner, Mary Fowler, has Papua New Guinean heritage.
The stadium and centre of excellence
Santos National Stadium will be the Chiefs’ home base, with plans in place to upgrade the venue’s capacity from 15,000 to 20,000.
The site for the PNG first grade training field and centre of excellence is right next to the existing stadium that will be used as the team’s home ground. Construction is expected to commence in the new year.
The site for the PNG first grade training field and centre of excellence is right next to the existing stadium that will be used as the team’s home ground. Construction is expected to commence in the new year.
Outside the $600 million Australian government investment that goes to the NRL, the PNG government has pledged to invest in the upgrade of the stadium and a nearby centre of excellence.
The Chiefs are building a temporary office inside the stadium grandstand, but will move to the centre of excellence which is expected to rival the facilities used by the Parramatta Eels and North Queensland Cowboys.
What are some of the other challenges?
Given the year-round high temperatures and humidity, night matches would provide more suitable conditions when the Chiefs play at home.
Fans at the match between the PM’s XIII and PNG in Port Moresby.
Fans at the match between the PM’s XIII and PNG in Port Moresby.CREDIT: NRL PHOTOS
The lack of public transport in Port Moresby after 6pm is another hurdle.
By the second half of last week’s PM’s XIII game in Port Moresby, thousands had left the ground.
It wasn’t due to a lack of interest or disappointment with the scoreline, merely because public transport was the only way many could make it home that night.
Participation and development programs
The NRL has invested in development programs to try and establish a pathway for aspiring players.
Most children don’t have access to a grass field, so they play on roads and roundabouts to get their fix of rugby league in a country of 22 provinces and 89 districts.
PNG pathways and development guru Joey Grima presents to NRL CEO Andrew Abdo and the PNG Chiefs board.
PNG pathways and development guru Joey Grima presents to NRL CEO Andrew Abdo and the PNG Chiefs board.CREDIT: NRL PHOTOS
In 2023, under the watch of Joey Grima – affectionately nicknamed “Boss Man” by the locals and Bigpela Dog (Big Dog) by Prime Minister James Marape – Tony Archer and Scott Barker, the NRL embarked on a pilot program in Port Moresby with 60 of the best young players.
Given 80 per cent of the estimated 12 million people in PNG live outside Port Moresby, the following year the program expanded to six regions, only accessible to each other by plane.
Invites had to be hand-delivered to the most remote parts of the country.
“We want to be the Brisbane Broncos here,” Grima said in his presentation to Abdo and the board.
Local fans swarm over Jason Saab after the PM’s XIII game in Port Moresby last weekend.
Local fans swarm over Jason Saab after the PM’s XIII game in Port Moresby last weekend.CREDIT: NRL PHOTOS
It is estimated that by 2026, when they expand into eight locations, the PNG academy will have a total of 960 participants – three times the size of the Parramatta Eels academy. The program will run over 22 weeks.
There are no structured competitions available for children between the ages of six and 12, and they rely on schools to provide the opportunity for gameplay.
NRL players are mobbed during a trip to PNG for a PM’s XIII match a few years ago.
NRL players are mobbed during a trip to PNG for a PM’s XIII match a few years ago.CREDIT: NRL PHOTOS
It is estimated that an Australian child would be exposed to close to 1000 extra hours of rugby league development than the average PNG child before they reach adulthood.
The shortfall is the focus of the PNG pathways leaders, who are seeking to bridge this divide by expanding access, enhancing training structure, and delivering consistent, high-quality coaching and competitions.
That’s why the government has invested close to $60 million into the initiative over the next five years, hopeful that the Chiefs will one day be predominantly made up of locals and not rely heavily on Australian players seeking tax-free contracts.
“We’ll be bigger than the Penrith Junior Rugby League,” Dib said. “We will be the biggest nursery of rugby league in the world.”
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