PNG pathways news and developments

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10th April
For the Grades 9 & 10
Port Moresby Schools Academy won Pool A to qualify for the final.

 

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Lae Schools Academy also won Pool B for Grades 9 & 10 to qualify for the Final.
So the boys from Lae were in the Final for both Grades 7 & 8 and Grades 9 &10.

 

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11th April

The Girls Pool games kicked off after the Boys Pool games were completed.

The Format was the same.
Pool A had Port Moresby, Central Province and the Niugini Islands. All games were in Port Moresby.
Pool B had Lae, Goroka and Mt Hagen. Their games were again played in Goroka.

 

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Port Moresby Girls

Central Girls

Niugini Islands Girls

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Olam backs path ways for PNG NRL’s future | The National

www.thenational.com.pg

 

[Jonty]

Olam backs path ways for PNG NRL’s future | The National

www.thenational.com.pg

PNG with investment and structure could seriously rival and then overtake the numbers of kiwis plying their trade in the NRL.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Olam Commends Growth of Women’s Rugby League in PNG Through Santos Cup

PNG News ! Papua New Guinea News Online. Bringing latest Papua New Guinea news, PNG Kumuls news, PNG Hunters news, PNG Business News, PNG Sports News

www.onepng.com

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Time to kick off | The National

www.thenational.com.pg

 

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10th May 25

The Central Schools Academy won the Year 7/8 Championship beating Lae Schools 19-14.

 

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10th May 2025

NCD Schools Academy won over Lae Schools in the Year 9/10 Boys Final.

 

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10th May 2025

NCD hold off a valiant Goroka side to win the Females Grand Final.

 

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Year 7/8 Grand Final highlights.

 

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Year 9/10 Grand Final highlights.

 

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Females Grand Final highlights.

 

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A week or so after the completion of the Academy Championship, The National Youth Competition then kicked off on the 17th of May 2025.

The competition ran for 7 weeks plus 2 weeks of Finals.
The Goroka Lahanis met the Mt Hagen Eagles in the Grand Final.

 

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The Grand Final took place on the 6th of July.
The Mt Hagen Eagles were the Inaugural Champions.

 

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PNG NRL Bid Official | Port Moresby

PNG NRL Bid Official, Port Moresby. 6,123 likes · 5,085 talking about this. The Official Account for the PNG NRL Bid

www.facebook.com

19th July 2025

Historic Coaching Initiative Launching Across PNG!

The PNG NRL Bid Academy and Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League are proud to roll out a groundbreaking coaching program—the first of its kind in PNG

—led by PNG NRL Bid Academy Coaching & Pathways Manager, Joe Grima.
Kicking off Monday, 21st July, this two-day intensive course will be delivered across all six major regions, targeting coaches of U13–U18 teams. It’s based on the NRL Level 2 curriculum, used in elite systems across Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.
Leading the sessions:
Joe Grima will be joined by a world-class team of Australian-based coaches:
Craig Culnane
Craig Brennan
Tarik Houchar
All three are Level 2 and Level 3 high-performance coaches with over 20 years of experience in elite junior pathways across top rugby league systems.

Who’s it for?
Primarily schoolteachers committed to developing rugby league in schools.

A Major Step for Inclusiveness:
We’re proud to confirm 48 female teachers/coaches will participate—highlighting our commitment to growing gender inclusiveness in PNG Rugby League!
Regional Schedule:
Lae: 21–22 July
East New Britain: 24–25 August
Eastern Highlands: 18–19 August
Western Highlands: 21–22 August
Central & NCD: 26–29 October

Outside of NCDC and Central, there are over 200 coaches from 128+ schools already confirmed in Lae, ENB, EHP, and WHP!
This is a historic step in building PNG’s coaching capability and strengthening grassroots rugby league like never before.

 

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21 July 2025

Day 1 in Lae

We’ve officially wrapped up Day 1 of our historic Coaching Initiative in Lae!

A total of 46 passionate schoolteachers from 21 schools took part in today’s theory sessions, led by Joey Grima, Stanley Gene, Craig Culnane, Craig Brennan, and Tarik Houchar — all sharing elite-level knowledge on the layered art of coaching.
With such strong turnout and enthusiasm, it’s clear why Lae continues to be a powerhouse nursery for PNG rugby league talent.

 

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22 July 2025

Day 2 in Lae – PNG NRL Bid Coaching Initiative

Our final day in Lae has come to a powerful close as we wrapped up Day 2 of our historic Coaching Initiative with hands-on practical sessions!
A massive shoutout to the 46 passionate teachers from 21 schools who took to the field and embraced lessons on grip & carry, play-the-ball, tackle technique, ruck shapes, line speed, and more — all delivered by our elite coaching team: Joey Grima, Stanley Gene, Craig Culnane, Craig Brennan, and Tarik Houchar.

A heartfelt thank you to all the teachers for your enthusiasm, commitment, and eagerness to learn. We wish you all the best in applying these lessons to inspire and develop the next generation of Rugby League talent right here in Lae.
Next stop: East New Britain!

 

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24 July 2025

East New Britain brought the energy in Day

Following an incredible start in Lae, our Coaching Initiative landed in Rabaul — and the energy, attention, and passion from the 51 teachers across 26 schools was second to none!

Young, dynamic educators in ENB showed they’re ready to shape the next generation of rugby league stars and leaders — both on and off the field.
Massive thanks to coaching staff Craig Culnane, Craig Brennan, Tarik Houchar, and Stanley Gene for making the day fun and impactful, and to Nicole Kamara — PNG’s only female rugby league president — for being the driving force in ENB, with the support of Governor Michael Marum.