Chow hails growth as Santos Cup kicks off
The Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition [PNGNRLC] has officially launched the 2026 Santos Cup today with round 1 scheduled for this weekend.
This is the third year of the country's premier national women’s rugby league tournament.
The launch event, held at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby, was attended by franchise captains, key corporate partners, and the Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Adrian Lochrin.
The 2026 season features an expanded format built around the core pillars of 'Elevate, Empower, and Excite.'
Following a six-week preseason, the tournament will run for a total of 10 rounds, including the finals series. Matches will be broadcast nationwide via Digicel, alongside support from major partners including naming-rights sponsor Santos, PacificAus Sports, and Kumul Mineral Holdings Limited [KMHL].
PNGNRLC Chairman Adrian Chow, speaking on behalf of the PNG National Rugby League and the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League [PNGRFL], praised the rapid growth and rising technical standard of the women's game.
"We have witnessed clear progress in the women's competition, evidenced by faster play, fewer mistakes, and a notable advancement in technical proficiency," Chow said.
He said the domestic platform will serve a dual purpose this year: identifying local talent ahead of the upcoming World Cup, and driving community advocacy through initiatives like the dedicated 'Pawa Meri Round', which honors women's contributions to the sport.
The 2026 season has significantly advancemed the PNGRFL Gender Equality Strategy, with women now making up 50 per cent of the coaching staff across the six participating teams.
The six competing franchises are the Central Dabaris, East New Britain Gurias, Goroka Lahanis, Lae Snax Tigers, Mt. Hagen Eagles, and Port Moresby Vipers.
The tournament features five women stepping into head and assistant coaching roles, highlighting a successful pathway from the playing field to the coaching box.
Notably, pioneer PNG Orchid no.1 Cathy Neap returns to lead the Central Dabaris for her third year following two previous grand final appearances. She is joined in the coaching ranks by PNG Orchid no.46 Janet Johns, who takes up an assistant coaching role with the Port Moresby Vipers, and former 2025 captain Amenda Pakure, who joins the ENB Gurias as an assistant coach.
Santos Country Chair Leon Buskens reaffirmed the company's long-standing dedication to the sport. He said Santos has proudly backed women's rugby league in PNG since the inception of the national PNG Orchids team in 2017.
According to Buskens, the Santos Cup remains the focal point for the PNGRFL’s commitment to participation, leadership, and visibility.
He emphasized that strengthening the domestic competition ensures local female players receive the concrete opportunities and support necessary to compete and succeed at the highest international levels.