By Elijah Lavett – EMTV Sport, Port Moresby
Papua New Guinea NRL (PNGNRL) has rapidly grown over the years, expanding their development programs to East New Britain, Goroka and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
This year, they plan to move into other provinces in the country, and develop the code even more. PNG NRL’s game development conference was held earlier this month.
Australian NRL Development Officer, Brian Rowe, was in the country to strengthen the knowledge of PNG league development officers on the game’s development.
There are 13 league development officers in the country; three officers in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, three in East New Britain, three in the Eastern Highlands and four in the nation’s capital.
With support from the Australian government and the PNG National News Department, development officers are able to carry out league development programs in schools. PNG NRL also teaches basic skills to people with special needs.
With the Rugby World Cup approaching, PNG NRL will be working closely with the World Cup Committee.
