PNGRFL commits to grassroots development following historic Pacific rugby partnership signing
The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League [PNGRFL] has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering sustainable rugby league pathways that will strengthen participation, player development, and high-performance systems across the country.
This follows the historic signing of the landmark Pacific Rugby League Partnership in Brisbane, Australia, on Wednesday.
The Statement of Partnership was signed by the Australian Rugby League Commission [ARLC] and the national rugby league federations of Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Tonga.
The high-profile signing took place in the presence of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, PNG Prime Minister James Marape, and the Prime Ministers of Samoa and Tonga.
Supported by the Australian and Pacific governments, the partnership provides a coordinated framework to grow the game through community participation, player pathways, academies, and elite competition.
As a signatory to the partnership, PNGRFL welcomed the shared commitment to strengthening rugby league development across the region.
The organisation recognised that the long-term success of the partnership will depend on strong collaboration between governments, the ARLC, and Pacific rugby league federations to build sustainable programmes that benefit communities.
For PNGRFL, the partnership reinforces its responsibility to lead the development of rugby league within PNG through structured participation, talent identification, and high-performance pathways.
The organisation stated that the pathway to the PNG Chiefs begins long before a player reaches the professional level, starting in schools, communities, junior competitions, and provincial leagues.
Through its established Participation, Pathways, and Performance programmes, PNGRFL will continue to identify, develop, and prepare talented athletes while strengthening coaching, match officiating, and community rugby league systems nationwide.
The objectives of the Pacific Rugby League Partnership closely align with PNGRFL's long-term strategic priorities.
These include expanding opportunities for boys and girls to participate, strengthening school and community competitions, and enhancing coach and match official education.
PNGRFL also welcomed the partnership's commitment to advancing women's rugby league across the Pacific.
The continued growth of the women's game remains a strategic priority for the organisation, and the partnership provides a platform to strengthen female participation, competition structures, and performance pathways.
PNGRFL Chairman Sandis Tsaka said the signing of the Pacific Rugby League Partnership marks a defining moment for rugby league in PNG and the wider Pacific.
"This historic signing represents far more than the establishment of a new franchise," Tsaka said. "It is the beginning of a long-term commitment to creating a connected rugby league pathway that will identify, nurture and develop talented young players across Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.
"While the PNG Chiefs will proudly represent our nation on the national stage, PNGRFL's responsibility is to ensure that the pathway leading to that opportunity is strong, inclusive and sustainable.
"We will continue working with our provincial affiliates, schools, community rugby league programmes and our Pacific neighbours to build a development system that identifies talent early, develops players, coaches and match officials, and creates genuine opportunities for young people to reach the highest levels of the game."
Tsaka extended his gratitude to Prime Minister Marape, the Government of Papua New Guinea, the Australian Government, and the National Rugby League for their vision and investment.
"Together, we are building more than a team, we are creating a lasting legacy that will inspire generations of Pacific Islanders and strengthen rugby league across our region," he said.