Papua New Guinea launches new Rugby League Academy

Another major boost for rugby league in PNG has been announced with the launch of the NRL Bid Academy.

Building on the success of a pilot program in Port Moresby last season, the Academy will identify and nurture the best 15-, 17- and 19-year-old male players, alongside the most talented females in the 18 years age group.

The program will also expand its geographical reach, creating development centres in Lae, Mt Hagen, Goroka and Rabaul.

In total, over 700 players will become part of the program under the guidance of experienced Player Development Manager, Joe Grima, which will make it larger than any current NRL Academy.

The program will be crucial in developing the best up and coming talent in PNG and will build on the success that the Junior Kumuls are currently enjoying.

This was highlighted last September with a mighty performance against the Australian Schoolboys Junior Kangaroos, with the Kumuls nearly pulling off a major upset before the Australians scored with 90 seconds remaining to win by four points.

The Academy will also create a new level of professionalism off the field through the employment of 25 coaches, trainers and managers who will work under the leadership of Grima to teach all players the skills, disciplines and techniques that will be required to play at the NRL level.

PNG NRL BID Chief Executive, Andrew Hill, saw the move as another major step towards creating a player pathway system that would prepare players for the NRL.

“We have said from the early days of establishing the Bid that we would focus on getting the best systems in place in respect to pathways and coaching for our top junior players,” Hill said.