MugaB
Coach
- Messages
- 15,050
Or.... join the NRL club based in cairns, that represents Pasifika
Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Or.... join the NRL club based in cairns, that represents Pasifika
“The Australian Government has reportedly indicated that up to $25 million a year would be committed to underwriting a PNG franchise. The PNG Government, as well as a slew of cashed-up corporate behemoths in the region – such as ExxonMobil, Santos and Newcrest – are expected to cover any shortfall.Pacific Championships another big step as PNG closes in on 18th NRL licence
ByAdrian Proszenko
August 16, 2023 — 3.29pm
The momentum for Papua New Guinea to be granted the NRL’s 18th licence continues to build after the Australian Government committed $7 million to stage internationals in the Pacific.
Men’s and women’s teams from seven nations will compete in the inaugural Pacific Championships, which will be held from October 14 to November 5. Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Australia will co-host the tournament this year and Fiji will co-host the competition with Australia in 2024.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has made no secret of his desire for PNG to become the NRL’s next franchise, a sentiment he expressed again at Wednesday’s official announcement.
PNG bid team officials hope to be granted an NRL licence in 2025, the year the nation celebrates 50 years of independence, with a view to entering the competition as soon as 2027.
“The timelines that the PNG consortium identified … are ones that are logical,” Pat Conroy, the Federal Minister for International Development and the Pacific, as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said.
“Obviously, it is ultimately up to the NRL, but if we focus on having a very competitive franchise ready to go, those timelines are very attractive from a symbolic point of view ...
“I’ve been refreshed with how committed the NRL is in growing the game in the Pacific – that’s great.
“The other thing I’d like to highlight is we see this as a great avenue for gender equality in the region. The fact that women and men’s players will be paid the exact same match payments [for the Pacific Championships] is a great initiative.
Papua New Guinea players celebrate during their game against Tonga at the World Cup. The rivalry is set to be rekindled in the Pacific Championships.
“We are in Matilda land; we’re seeing the great power of female participation and excellence in sport. Using rugby league as a vehicle for gender equality is a great opportunity.”
The latest announcement follows the government’s pledge of $5.5 million last month to grow the game in PNG. The investments are part of the government’s soft diplomacy at a time when PNG holds increasing geopolitical importance for Australia as China extends its influence in the Pacific.
Almost half of all NRL players – as well as nine of Penrith’s starting 13 from last year’s grand final – are of Pacific heritage.
The Australian Government has reportedly indicated that up to $25 million a year would be committed to underwriting a PNG franchise. The PNG Government, as well as a slew of cashed-up corporate behemoths in the region – such as ExxonMobil, Santos and Newcrest – are expected to cover any shortfall.
Albanese said a PNG-based NRL team could help counter the encroachment of China in the Pacific.
“We know we have a bit of competitive tension in the region, and engagement, if you like, in soft diplomacy, showing the relationship between Australia and our neighbours, that is so important,” Albanese told SEN radio.
“PNG will celebrate the 50 years of independence in a short period of time, in a couple of years, and that would be, I think, a pretty important opportunity to have some symbolic and real support.”
"Symbolic"
Talking about the 50 year anniversary of independence in 1975.
www.nrl.com
www.thenational.com.pg
He’s posting a video on the ground
maybe all the data and crime stats are exaggerated as well? I mean why wouldn't you want your country to look like one of the most dangerous in the world?
www.aspistrategist.org.au
Coca Cola go hard at advertising their product in third world countries. In places like Mexico it's cheaper to buy Coca Cola than bottled water. Their product is heavily promoted across Mexico and South America. It's an easy sell because it's a fairly inexpensive product that people from third world countries can afford.The next NRL team should come from Papua New Guinea | The Strategist
For all the focus in the Australian media on recent developments throughout the Pacific, it’s strange that the potential addition of a Papua New Guinea team to the Australian National Rugby League appears to have ...
2010 png nrl bid had Coca Cola as a sponsor
Great!, the great potato is back
