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Media Release
Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League Reports Strong Growth, Governance Progress and Record Participation
Mount Hagen, 02nd April, 2026:
The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) 2025 Annual General Meeting was held in Mt Hagen on the 28th of March. PNGRFL has reported a year of strong growth across governance, community development, financial performance, and player pathways, reinforcing its commitment to a sustainable and inclusive future for the game.
A key milestone was the increase in the compliant affiliated leagues from 37 to 63, reflecting strengthened governance standards and improved alignment nationwide.
PNGRFL Chairman Sandis Tsaka said the progress signals a stronger foundation for the game.
“The growth in compliant leagues from 37 to 63 is a significant achievement. It reflects stronger governance, better systems, and the commitment of our community and game development teams across the country. We are also seeing growing confidence in PNGRFL as a financially responsible organisation. With audits up to date and strong financial performance, our partners and sponsors continue to invest in the game.
Most importantly, we are building for the future — strengthening pathways, supporting the PNG Hunters program, and creating opportunities for the next generation.”
Participation continues to rise, with more than 15,000 registered players, while the launch of the National Youth Competition (NYC) Under 19s has further strengthened the pathway to elite rugby league.
PNGRFL Chief Executive Officer Stanley Hondina said increased investment at the community level is delivering results.
“The real work of our game happens at the community level, and that is where we have focused our investment. Strengthening our presence on the ground is now translating into growth and stronger engagement nationwide. While feedback from our members is encouraging, there is more work to do. Our focus is on equipping leagues with the technical capacity — both on and off the field — to meet standards and continue to grow.t the same time, we are ensuring clear and accessible pathways. Our role is to provide opportunities for players to progress from community rugby league through to academies, national competitions, and elite programs.
We are now seeing stronger alignment across the system — from grassroots to PNG National Rugby League Competitions, PNG Hunters, PNG Chiefs, and our national teams — creating a more connected and sustainable rugby league ecosystem.”
Mr Hondina also acknowledged the role of partners in advancing the game.
“We are grateful for the continued support of the Australian Government, our funding partners, and longstanding sponsors. Their investment is critical to our growth.
As we look ahead, PNGRFL will continue to strengthen its revenue base while investing in development and pathways to create more opportunities for our people.”
PNGRFL reported strong financial results for the year ending October 2025:
Total Revenue: K35.4 million
Operating Surplus: K7.4 million (7th consecutive surplus)
Net Assets: K33.4 million (16% increase)
The organization also confirmed legacy tax matters and backlog audits have been resolved, strengthening financial accountability and transparency.
With continued resourcing across all levels of the game, PNGRFL remains committed to its vision: “Better People. Better Sport. Better Nation.”
