A Message from the PNG NRL Bid

The focus of the PNG NRL Bid is to:

• secure a licence to enter a team into the National Rugby League competition
• promote Rugby League to deliver positive social and economic benefits for the people of Papua New Guinea

The impact on Papua New Guinea is significant.

Obtaining an NRL licence will unite the country like nothing else and be the biggest accomplishment since PNG gained independence in 1975.

PNG and Australia have shared a love of Rugby League since World War 2 when young NSW and QLD Soldiers bonded with the young men of Papua New Guinea over a game of ‘footy’. This shared passion between our nations has strengthened over the years with the State of Origin matches being the most watched sporting event of the year.

Rugby League is considered to be PNG’s national sport. No other country in the world can make this significant claim.

In a nation of over 800 tribes and languages, Rugby League is the common bond that unifies the nation:

• PNG has a population approaching 7 million
• 50% of the population are under 18 years of age
• Every school participates in rugby league competition.
• There are thousands of registered players across 280 clubs

NRL players, as society’s heroes, can contribute to their communities and youth in PNG through promoting strong social values.

Rugby League provides the perfect vehicle to create a new sports industry, benefit employment, drive new infrastructure projects, social development, investment and international profile through tourism.

The PNG Government has designated the Bid as an Impact Project of National Importance.

We invite you to support the PNG NRL Bid and unify the Nation through the power of Rugby League.