PNG Rugby League can now move forward

[mikail-eagle]

http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/36308

Ravu: Rugby league can now move forward with court ruling
Source:
The National, Monday 30th July 2012
By HENRY MORABANG
RUGBY league is set to move forward following the dismissal of a court case against the Papua New Guinea Rugby League interim administration.
PNGRFL interim administrator Ivan Ravu welcomed the court decision, saying the game had to move forward, and he would not waste time on the past.
Ravu’s major task will be to assemble a Prime Minister’s XIII side to take on the visiting Australian Prime Minister’s side in eight weeks in the annual fixture.
Ravu said the National Court last Wednesday dismissed the court case against interim administration of PNG Rugby League.
The case was initiated by Wabag RL president Joseph Kilipali and the president of the other 18 highlands leagues and Joe Tokam against the interim PNGRFL board.
The case was being dismissed in its entirety by the National Court, which found the application challenging the authority of the interim administration of the PNGRFL to be without merit and amounting to an abuse of process.
The court found the 18 highlands leagues and several other leagues that had paid their affiliation fees to Joe Tokam (former highlands development officer) into a “highlands schoolboys rugby league account” in Mt Hagen was improper.
“Those leagues are not recognised affiliates or members of the PNGRFL unless the affiliation fees are paid into the PNGRFL account in Port Moresby” the court said.
In his ruling, Justice Ere Kariko said Tokam was no longer an employee of the PNGRFL and did not have any authority to conduct any business for and on behalf of the PNGRFL.
In particular Kariko said Tokam had no authority to collect money on behalf of the PNGRFL and could not hold himself to be a representative of the PNGRFL.
Tokam and three other regional development officers – Alois ToBata (NGI) Steve Malum (Northern) and Ripa Kalamo (Southern) – were all paid their final entitlements last year when their employment with the PNGRFL was terminated.
In dismissing the case, Kariko ordered that the first plaintiffs – Joseph Kilipal and 18 highlands leagues presidents, second plaintiff Tokam and their lawyers Manase Lawyers were jointly responsible for payment of all costs including legal costs relating to this case.
The PNGRFL affiliates are Port Moresby, Papua, Lae, Tabubil, East New Britain, Gazelle, Moaina, Bougainville, Kimbe, Vanimo, Kainantu, Wau and Bulolo.

 

[biggestbroncosfan]

is there any news on whether they will be getting a team in the QLD Cup next year?

 

[obsulete]

http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120731/sport01.htm

Sports
Monday 30th July, 2012
PM’s 13 squad
PM’s 13 squad to named soon

By KEVIN TEME

PNG Rugby Football League will announce a 40-man squad next month for this year’s Prime Minister’s XIII game on September 23 in Port Moresby.
This was announced by PNGRFL interim administrator Ivan Ravu in his statement yesterday.
Ravu when contacted said yesterday the case was dismissed by Justice Ere Kariko last Wednesday and he welcomed the decision as a step to move things forward.
The court found that the 18 Highlands and several other leagues who have paid their affiliation fees to former Highlands RFL development officer Joe Tokam who also acted as an interim administrator for the Highlands and Northern Region, a position appointed during the failed special general meeting in Lae early this year was improper as the fees were put into a Highlands schoolboys rugby league account in Mt Hagen.
Ravu who was also appointed to look after the Niugini Islands and the Southern Region said the courts decision to throw out the case will allow for stability in the PNGRFL so that they get on with the serious business of running the game.
Tokam when contacted yesterday confirmed that the account was already closed when former PNGRFL deputy chairman Brian Kramer took office.
Ravu said those leagues are not recognised as affiliated members of the PNGRFL. They can use proper affiliation procedures to become members.
“There have been too many court proceedings and challenges taken out against the PNGRFL over the last four years and that has seriously affected the image of rugby league as a national sport in the country. It will take a lot of effort to bring back the confidence and the trust in the administration of the game,” Ravu said.
He said the game needs to win back the support of the business houses.
Ravu said there are number of important fixtures coming up this year and next year which includes the annual Prime Minister’s XIII match, the PNG National 9s tournament and a possibility of having two-match tour by the USA Tomahawks and later this year, a team will also be prepared for the Kumuls pre-match World Cup match with an Australian NRL team in Sydney in February next year.
Ravu confirmed that the International Rugby League Federation has sanctioned these international fixtures in its last meeting in London in May this year. He said the selectors have a fair idea who will be making the team and is expected to announce the squad soon. Ravu will meet with the former chairman of selectors Arnold Krewanty this week.
Meanwhile, Ravu said 40 players will be selected from the Digicel Cup competition and consideration for PNG born players playing in the Queensland Intrust Cup, Australian NRL and Super League in England.
“This will enable PNG to field a strong team for the World Cup next year,” Ravu said.

 

[mattystans000]

Have an internet source for that story yet, want to tweet that bolded info, but not without a link. Can't find it on the National site yet?

 

[mikail-eagle]

The Nationals run the same story today.

http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/36446

Kumuls have busy schedule
Source:
The National, Wednesday July 1st, 2012
By HENRY MORABANG
PAPUA New Guinea Rugby Football League interim administrator Ivan Ravu says a court decision in its favour will allow for stability so they can get on with the serious business of running the game.
Ravu said there had been too many court proceedings and challenges taken out against the PNGRFL over the past four years and that had seriously affected the image of rugby league as the national sport in the country.
“The game has suffered a lot over the past few years and it will take a lot of effort to bring back confidence and trust in the administration of the game,” he said.
“We need to win back the support of the corporate sector as rugby league, like any other sport thrives on the good-will and support of business houses.
“There are a number of important fixtures coming up this and next year and we need to focus on that.
“The PNGRFL International events for this year include the Prime Minister’s XIII match on Sunday, Sept 23, PNG national 9s tournament, the possibility of a two-match tour to PNG by the USA Tomahawks later this year and Kumuls pre-World Cup match with an Australian NRL team in Sydney in February next year.
“The Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) has already sanctioned these international fixtures in its last meeting in London in May this year.
“PNGRFL was represented at that meeting by the director of the Asia-Pacific Rugby League Confederation (APRLC) John Numapo, who is an executive board member of the RLIF.
Ravu said for the upcoming PM’s XIII match, national selectors had started looking at players from the Digicel Cup to pick a training squad of 40 players.
He said they would consider players from the Queensland Intrust Cup, Australian NRL and Super League in England. “This will enable PNG to field a strong team for the World Cup in 2013,” Ravu said.
He said the management of the Digicel Cup had been informed that all players taking part in the competition must be registered with the PNGRFL before they could be considered for selection.
So far only clubs affiliated to the Lae Rugby League are complying with player registration fees to PNGRFL account in Port Moresby.
Attempts have been made with the other affiliated leagues but the response has been poor.
The Participation Agreement with the Rugby League World Cup 2013 was signed last month, witnessed by the secretary general of PNG Olympic Committee Auvita Rapilla in order for PNG to take part in the World Cup.
The draws have now been released for the preliminary matches against France on Sunday, October 2, and Samoa on Monday, November 4, at Craven Park, in Hull, and against New Zealand on November 8 in Leeds.
Ravu said discussions were already under way with some major airlines in the region for a ‘supporters’ package’ for those who wanted to attend the World Cup next year.
Negotiations for Kumuls sponsorship have already started with a number of potential sponsors expressing interest.
“We are looking at a major sponsor who will have the naming rights and a number of minor sponsors for the different international fixtures coming up, including the World Cup.
“The venue of the Prime Minister’s XIII match is subject to the state of Lloyd Robson Oval, which was inspected and a report sent to Sydney for a decision,” he said.

 

[Dakink]

Just imagine if the pngrl managed to bring all the different factions successfully together and working one direction. The standard of play over there would rocket and more players would be looked at for Mel super league clubs.

 

[mikail-eagle]

http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120731/sport02.htm

Digicel Cup players may lose

By KEVIN TEME

DIGICEL Cup players may miss selection into the Kumuls team if they are not properly registered to the PNG Rugby Football League.
PNGRFL interim administrator Ivan Ravu said yesterday: “Digicel Cup runs its own competition and the PNGRFL draws its players from that competition for international representation.
“They (players) will be eligible under the Digicel Cup registration of players to the PNGRFL, not necessarily the leagues where they come from.”
Ravu said this in regard to the leagues not affiliated to the PNGRFL in which the players may be affected.
“The players will not be affected if their respective leagues are not affiliated. They will be eligible under the Digicel Cup registration but at this point in time I have written to the management of the PNGNRL management last week and am waiting on their response.
“All they have to do is for their competition to decide who pays their player registrations to the PNGRFL, whether it is the Digicel Cup or the individual franchise.”
He said the Digicel Cup management has been informed that all the players participating in the PNGNRL Digicel Cup must be registered with the PNGRFL before they can be considered for selection.
On a positive note, a participation agreement for the Rugby League World Cup, 2013 was signed last month and witnessed by the secretary general of the PNG Sports Federation and Olympic Committee Auvita Rapilla.
Draws have been released for the preliminary matches against France on Sunday October 2 and Samoa on Monday 4 of November at the Craven Park in Hull and against the New Zealand in Leeds on November 8 next year. Ravu said discussions are already under way with major airlines in the region for a supporters’ package for those who want to attend the World Cup next year.
“Negotiations for the Kumuls sponsorship have already been started with a number of potential sponsors. We are looking at a major sponsor who will have the naming rights and a number of minor sponsors for the different international fixtures that are coming up including the World Cup,” he said.
Ravu said he will meet with Arnold Krewanty this week to finalise a 40-man squad. Meanwhile, the Australian rugby league commission has decided that the annual Prime Minister’s XIII game must be played in Port Moresby however there are major concerns over the state of the perimeter fencing, playing surface and the public seating at the Lloyd Robson Oval.
“Work must commence soon to ensure that the venue is in reasonable standard for the match on September 23 this year,” he said.
When asked about the selection of the coaching staffs as well as the management team, Ravu said they will review the management team and make the announcement during the week.

 

[mikail-eagle]

http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120731/sport01.htm

PM’s 13 squad to named soon

By KEVIN TEME

PNG Rugby Football League will announce a 40-man squad next month for this year’s Prime Minister’s XIII game on September 23 in Port Moresby.
He said the selectors have a fair idea who will be making the team and is expected to announce the squad soon. Ravu will meet with the former chairman of selectors Arnold Krewanty this week.
Ravu said 40 players will be selected from the Digicel Cup competition and consideration for PNG born players playing in the Queensland Intrust Cup, Australian NRL and Super League in England.
“This will enable PNG to field a strong team for the World Cup next year,” Ravu said.

 

[geordiesaint]

Just imagine if the pngrl managed to bring all the different factions successfully together and working one direction. The standard of play over there would rocket and more players would be looked at for Mel super league clubs.

If only the English game could do the same... :x

 

[Evil Homer]

If only the English game could do the same... :x

What are you talking about? Which rival factions are in England?

 

[geordiesaint]

What are you talking about? Which rival factions are in England?

Not so much rival factions but the RFL and BARLA are constantly fighting and working against each other it seems for control of the amateur and junior games. The game in the UK is far too fragmented and that is to the detriment of England's international strength.