6 teams to feature in newly established U-19 competition as PNG hype up preparation for 2028 NRL entry

PNG NRL Bid Academy players assembled at Santos National Football Stadium (Image: PNGRFL)

Papua New Guinea’s quest for National Rugby League admission is shaping up with the announcement of a new youth competition, capturing PNG’s emerging talents under 19 years of age.

Six teams in Central Dabaris, Rabaul Gurias, Goroka Lahanis, Lae Snax Tigers, Mt. Hagen Eagles and Port Moresby Vipers will compete in the inaugural season in preparation for PNG’s historic NRL entry in 2028.

PNG Rugby Football League chief executive officer Stanley Hondina said the establishment of the 7-week competition was based on the national youth championship held in Eastern Highlands last year.

“Building on the success of last year’s competition in Goroka, we believed that it was vital for us to begin preparing our best youth players for the rigors of the NRL by creating an intense weekly competition where they would be required to reach the levels of professionalism that they will need in the future,” Hondina said.

“The competition will provide tough matches each week where the best will play against the best.

“We have an incredible depth of young talent in this country and this competition will provide a great way for our players to develop the right professional habits that will sustain them throughout their careers.”

The new competition, which is a joint partnership between the PNGRFL and the PNG NRL Bid, will be an upgraded version of the hugely successful inaugural weekend of matches that took place in Goroka.

PNGRFL revealed that the intention was to bring the best school players from throughout the country together for a series of matches that would provide the intense competition that can be expected on a week-to-week basis in the NRL.

NRL Bid Academy team during a training session (Image: PNGRFL)

The newly formed league is the output of NRL Bid Academy led by Joe Grima, providing an opportunity for the best under 19 players in the country to represent their pathway clubs from Digicel ExxonMobil Cup.

PNG NRL Bid CEO, Andrew Hill, also highlighted the importance of the new competition:

“Part of creating a world-leading pathways system is to challenge the players at all levels and to ingrain good habits from an early age.

“Producing consistent performances on the field is one thing, but just as important is how you look after yourself off the field and develop the professional habits around diet, recovery, and well-being that will allow you to continue to perform at your best.

The competition also highlights the strong partnership that exists between the Australian and Papua New Guinea Governments as we continue to prepare for entry into the National Rugby League in 2028.”

NRL Bid Chairman and Managing Director of Kumul Petroleum, Wapu Sonk, offered full support for this new initiative, stating this is another important step for the game at junior level and will provide a great platform in future.