PNG DIGICEL CUP 2021

[mikail-eagle]

Its probably a little too early to be starting a thread about next year but I'm already bored.

Anyway the competition next year is most definitely going to be expended. Most probably by 2 Teams.

I'm not sure who the 2nd Team will be but the first Team that will be announced soon is the Sepik Pride that will be based out of Wewak in the East Sepik Province.

Their bid has gained momentum of the last few months culminating in a launch and fundraiser last Saturday in Port Moresby.

https://postcourier.com.pg/integrity-plays-vital-role-says-sepik-pride-chairman-wagambie/

INTEGRITY plays a vital role says Wagambie


INTEGRITY plays a vital role within the establishment of an organization. Sporting clubs are an organization and thus require good integrity to carry out its functions.
This was the opinion shared by Sepik Pride chairman and former PNG Kumuls player & Coach John Wagambie when responding to Post-Courier’s queries about Sepik Pride’s Gala Night hosted last Saturday at Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby.
“I’m more optimistic that we will get more support. It all comes down to integrity of the people in charge of any organization. If you have integrity people will come, if you do not then people won’t come so it is good we had a mixture of attendance with our Governor (East Sepik Governor Allan Bird) who is a very dynamic man,” said
Wagambie.
“We also had Governor of West Sepik Tony Wouwou, Goilala MP William Samb, North Fly MP James Donald, PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka and also Graham Osborne. We are so grateful to everyone who supported us given we had a variety of support from all different ethnic groups in PNG. We will be competitive and every contribution from individuals will be most welcome.”
On auction was the Richard Wagambie’s Kumuls right wing jersey of 1992 Townsville Test in which John was the coach at that time and the jersey was on auction for K10,000. The next jersey was Arnold Krewanty’s Newcastle Knights and believed to be auctioned for K2000 whilst the other jersey signed by members of the Kumuls team was also on auction.
“The auction was good and I am very happy, we did financially well and considering this is the first of our fundraisings, I am really satisfied and proud as well. Our team in Port Moresby did very well and we’ve really exceeded our expectations in terms of this fundraising.
“We certainly should have raised over K300,000. From my recollection, we have never had any Digicel Cup to go into such fundraising of this nature, I can’t recall. I believe we are the only ones given we have not entered PNG NRL but we ticked all the boxes in terms of minimum requirements. I believe we are the first whereas some (clubs) are too reliant on provincial government funding with the exception of Gurias and Tigers,” Wagambie said.

 

[mikail-eagle]

Another article from a week ago.

https://www.thenational.com.pg/governor-supports-sepik-prides-bid-for-digicel-cup/

Governor supports Sepik Pride’s bid for Digicel Cup

EAST Sepik Governor Allan Bird wants to create pathways for his young people in sports.
He assured the Sepik Pride bid committee that he would provide financial support to field a team in the Digicel Cup next year.
Bird said he wanted to give young people the opportunity to participate in something productive if they had the talent, the commitment and discipline.
He made the comment leading up to a fundraising dinner on Saturday.
“We are supporting all sports,” Bird said.
“We want to support soccer as well but until they resolve their issues and improve governance, we will simply have to wait.
“League is ready so they have our support.
“It’s all about giving options to our people, particularly the youths.”
Pride chairman John Wagambie thanked Bird for his support by providing initial funding to begin groundwork.
“My aim is to harness the energy of our youths and channel it into rugby league,” he said.
“We have many young men and women in the two Sepik provinces who have represented their country in rugby league and other sports.” The aim of the bid was not only about rugby league but also promoting education, discipline and the opportunity to go anywhere in the world.
“Sports are a powerful tool in developing youths and making them a useful member of their communities,” Wagambie said.
He appealed to all friends of Sepik, corporate clients and supporters to purchase tickets for the dinner. Wagambie said the tickets were going for K500 per person and K4,000 per table of eight.
He said guest speaker Bird would further justify why Pride should compete in the Digicel Cup.
Those wishing to support should contact Stostik Kaprangi or John Wagambie Jr on admin@sepikpride.com or via mobile phone on 78445144 or 71355428.
It is understood that Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka will also be a guest at the dinner.

 

[mikail-eagle]

https://pngbuzz.com/pngsport/7443

Sepik Pride Intercity Cup Bid Gains Momentum

Both East and West Sepik are soccer dominated provinces but there is no shortage of rugby league talent from the Sepik region.

One only needs to look at PNG rugby league former greats from the Sepik in John Pius Wagambie Snr, Richard Wagambie, Robert Jakis, Arnold Krewanty and Nigel Hukula who are right behind a team of young, passionate, like-minded individuals who have been working tirelessly to ensure the bid is a success.

The journey and dream to bid for the Sepik Rugby League Franchise known as ‘The Sepik Pride’ to enter PNGNRLC’s Intercity Competition continues to gain momentum. The Sepik Pride’s Digicel Cup bid received a major boost when they raised more than K250,000 from a fundraising dinner in Port Moresby on Saturday night.

East Sepik Governor Allan Bird commended the passion within the young team spearheading the bid and highlighted the importance sport plays in the nation’s human resource development

 

[mikail-eagle]

 

[Perth Tiger]

How well covered is the Digicel Cup across the PNG population centers? We have a whole sub fourm here discussing where the NRL doesn't cover but are there any major centers that aren't covered?

What would the natural number of teams to cover the whole country?

 

[mikail-eagle]

How well covered is the Digicel Cup across the PNG population centers? We have a whole sub fourm here discussing where the NRL doesn't cover but are there any major centers that aren't covered?

What would the natural number of teams to cover the whole country?

PNG is broken up into 4 Regions.
1. The Highlands Region
The most populous region in PNG and has 7 Provinces.
Currently 6 of the Provinces have a Digicel Cup Team.
They are current premiers the Hela Wigmen, Goroka Lahanis, Mendi Muruks, Hagen Eagels, Enga
Mioks and Waghi Tumbe.
The only Province without a Team at the moment is the Chimbu Provinces.
Their Team the Chimbu Warriors were replaced in maybe 2018 because of financial difficulties.
They are currently working on a bid to re-enter next year.
Ironically, this is the home Province of Justin Olam, Stanley Gene and the Late Bal Numapo etc.

2. Northern or Momase Region.
Has 4 Provinces.
Currently the Lae Tigers who represent the Morobe Province have a Digicel Cup Team.
East Sepik Province and West Sepik Province have the combined Sepik Pride bid that I posted
above which is most certain to be accepted for next year.
The Madang Province will be the only Province without a Team after next year.

3. Southern or Papuan Region
There are 6 Provinces in this region.
NCD has the Port Moresby Vipers, Gulf Province the Gulf Isou and the Central Province have the
Dabaris in the Digicel Cup.
Miline Bay Province, Western Province and Oro Province currently don't have Teams.

4. Islands Region
There are 5 Provinces out in the Nuigini Islands but only 2 Provinces have Teams in the Digicel
Cup.
The Rabaul Gurias from East New Britain Province and the Kimbe Cutters from West New Britain
Province.
Manus Province, New Ireland Province and Bougainville don't have teams yet.
I believe New Ireland and Bougainville are preparing bids for next year.


So in total currently there are 12 teams playing out of a total of 22 Provinces. With 2 teams being added next year it will be 14 out of 22.

 

[Chidge]

Is there going to be a talent drain again for 2021 with the hunters back on.
2020 must have been the strongest comp since the hunters started

 

[mikail-eagle]

Is there going to be a talent drain again for 2021 with the hunters back on.
2020 must have been the strongest comp since the hunters started

This years competition was definitely the strongest from since the Hunters came into existence.

The only thing I was disappointed about was the referring especially in regards to clearing up the ruck and policing dangerous play. The ruck speed this year was very very slow with so much wrestling and just lying all over the tackled player. This might have a negative impact on the Hunters next year if some of the players take practice into the QCUP.

The Hunters usually keep a 30men squad. So that will be 30 players that won't be playing in the Digicel Cup next year.
If the Hunters were to remain in PNG then the fringe players who don't make the weekly 17 men team usually go back and play for their Digicel Cup Teams. But the Hunters might be relocating to North Queensland next year so there won't be a possibility of players dropping back to Digicel Cup.

 

[LeagueXIII]

Out of interest what sort of media does the game have? Written, radio and TV.

Is there a weekly magazine dedicated to the game like Big League or RLW use to be.

 

[mikail-eagle]

Out of interest what sort of media does the game have? Written, radio and TV.

Is there a weekly magazine dedicated to the game like Big League or RLW use to be.

Media coverage for Rugby League is huge. For all forms of media it is Rugby League first and day light second.

Both weekly newspapers have big coverage for both local and overseas Rugby League.

Digicels TV Wan Network have a dedicated sports channel called TV Wan Action which is 60% Rugby League.
All 8 weekly NRL games from the Fox League simulcast get shown on this.
The local Digicel Cup gets telecast on it too but if there's a clash with the NRL it then gets moved to another channel.

The PNGRFL Chairman also has weekly column in the National Newspaper called the Full-time Reserve. The same article gets uploaded weekly on the PNGRFL Facebook page.

 

[mikail-eagle]

https://postcourier.com.pg/simbu-warriors-secure-sponsorship/

Warriors secure sponsorship for next year.

The Simbu Warriors who have been out of the Digicel Cup for 2 years want to make a return in 2021 and have received Sponsorship of K1.5 million for next year.

 

[mikail-eagle]

https://www.thenational.com.pg/hondina-advises-players-to-take-time-off-rugby-let-body-rest/

Hondina advises players to take time off rugby, let body rest
October 29, 2020The NationalSports

PAPUA New Guinea National Rugby League Competition manager Stanley Hondina has advised Digicel Cup players to take time off and not participate in offseason tournaments and competitions.

He made the call during the Port Moresby Vipers’ awards night in downtown last week.
“To the players, take some time off with your families,” he said.
“Let those niggling injuries heal, let the body rest.
“There are offseason leagues underway — don’t go and play there.
“You are already playing at the semi-professional level.
“Why go back and put yourself at risk of getting injured?
“The next stage you all should be aiming for is making the SP Hunters.
“You should be aiming upwards, not downwards.
“Look after your body, rest well and recover for the preseason ahead of the Digicel Cup next year.”

Meanwhile, Hondina thanked all the sponsors of the 12 Digicel Cup teams for their support this year despite the Covid-19 pandemic affecting business.
He also thanked Vipers sponsors Moni Plus and J Mart.
“Thank you sponsors of the Vipers and other franchises,” Hondina said.
“You (sponsors) don’t make any returns out of this but you still put in money to sustain these teams.
“This game will not exist without you so we’re grateful to all sponsors that continue to make the Digicel Cup a success every year.”

 

[mikail-eagle]

https://www.thenational.com.pg/sepik-pride-bid-receives-boost/

Sepik Pride bid receives boost
November 9, 2020The NationalSports


NGIP Agmark Limited presented cheque for K30,000 with trophies and medals for the Agmark Sepik Nines to Sepik Pride project manager Bradley Simon in Port Moresby on Friday.
The tournament is aimed at supporting the Pride’s Digicel Cup bid and for selection purposes.
It comes in line with East Sepik governor Allan Bird’s aim to empower youths and identify raw talents through rugby league.
Present at the ceremony was the Agmark branch manager Aisi Balkua, Rabaul Gurias coach Marcus Kaugla and Gurias hooker Wartovo Puara Jr.
Balkua said it was part of their social obligation to support sports in the country, especially rugby league.
“It’s a pleasure to support communities such as East Sepik in their pursuit to promote the code,” he said.
Simon thanked the Nightingale family and the NGIP Agmark management for their support.

 

[yakstorm]

So outside of the Sepik Pride and Simbu Warriors, I'm also seeing people mention the Motu Koita Lagatois as a possible new franchise for 2021.

Does anyone know much about Motu Koita?

 

[mikail-eagle]

The Motu Koita people are from the Central Province of PNG.

The City of Port Moresby also sits on Motu Koita Land but the City was turned into a separate stand alone Province called the National Capital District which was established in the early 80's.
Probably not so dissimilar to the ACT and NSW.

Anyway the Central Province People already have the Central Dabaris Team in the Digicel Cup. They went well this year but still missed the finals.

Am not sure if there is enough talent in the province to make up a competitive second team. Unless if they also draw players out of the Port Moresby based competitions.

 

[yakstorm]

https://www.thenational.com.pg/comp-eyes-digicel-cup/

Moresby South has indicated their plans to join the Digicel Cup in 2022

 

[yakstorm]

EOI's are now open, so I guess if there are going to be any other bids come forward, we should hear about them soon... I do hope the Sepik Pride get in.

 

[yakstorm]

Fly River Storm is the other franchise I've seen mentioned for 2021.

I noticed the Storm attempted to apply for 2020 and would represent Northern Fly, Middle Fly and Southern Fly.

If the Storm & Sepik were both accepted it would mean suddenly the west of PNG would be well represented.

 

[yakstorm]

Sepik Pride officially opened their new ground today in preparation for the inaugural Sepik Nines this weekend.

 

[mikail-eagle]

https://www.thenational.com.pg/pride-launch-products/

Pride launch products
December 22, 2020The NationalSports

THE Sepik Pride bid for the 2021 Digicel Cup season officially launched its merchandise on Saturday in Port Moresby following the submission of their bid to the Papua New Guinea National Rugby League (PNGNRL).
Project manager for the bid and former Rabaul Gurias forward Bradley Simon said the launch boosted their bid with the Pride now partnering with Agmark to incorporate merchandise for the Sepik franchise.
“The merchandise which includes t-shirts was designed to incorporate the greater Sepik area which includes West and East Sepik so this complements our bid,” he said.
“We’ve had Stanley Hondina and Adrian Chow from PNGNRL visit our venue in East Sepik and I think we’ve ticked a lot of boxes but we’re just waiting on the PNGNRLC.
“They haven’t given us a deadline on when they would announce the teams for next season but I’m confident Sepik can have a team next year,” Simon said.
East Sepik Governor Allan Bird said during the launch that the bid represented the opportunity for youths in the region to pursue sports and excel at the national level.
“Young people in our country don’t always have a lot of opportunities and they probably feel a little bit left out and in East and West Sepik it kind of feels like that for young people,” he said. “So using rugby league is one of the many things that we want to do while we’re supporting the other sports like rugby union, soccer and athletics.
“What we want to do is allow young people to have an opportunity and hopefully try to change the attitudes they have and sports is one medium to do that.
“Sepik Pride is just one of a whole range of things that we are trying to do to target our young people.”