by Dion Kombeng – EM TV Sports, Port Moresby
The League Bilong Laif program, is a sport for development program delivered by the Australian National Rugby League.
The program works with elementary and primary schools not only in the nation’s capital, but also in East New Britain, Eastern Highlands Province and in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
The program uses rugby league as an education tool, providing reading materials that has been developed by the NRL, with Macmillan Education Australia to encourage healthy lifestyles and boost students’ physical, social literacy and math skills.
The program challenges the perception of rugby league being a male dominated sport, and does so by creating safe, fun, and non-competitive opportunities for girls to participate as well.
Teachers have said that the program has boosted the students, and interest among students has improved the standard of learning.
The development officers also deliver key social messages on respect and the importance of education.
