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Bid Team

Minister Philemon Embel OBE

Minister Embel was appointed to the PNG NRL Bid by Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to represent the PNG Government’s commitment to securing an NRL licence.  He currently holds the position of Minister of Constitutional Affairs assisting the Prime Minister and has held a range of portfolios in the PNG dating back to 1987 including Health, Justice & Attorney, Mining, Transport and Civil Aviation, Public Service, Provincial and Local Government Affairs.  He holds a Bachelor of Law Degree and is currently a Member of Parliament for Nipa-Kutubu.  Minister Embel has been awarded an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Governor Powes Parkop, LLB, LLM, MP

Elected to Parliament as M.P for the National Capital District in 2007, he now holds the position as Governor.
Governor Powes Parkop presides over the National Capital District as “Mayor” of Port Moresby. He is regarded as a respected community leader and is an advocate of important social and environmental matters. Governor Porkop holds a Masters degree in Law and has a wealth of experience in the legal field. He is committed to ‘making a difference’ in PNG and supporting the nation with progressive projects and policies.

Paul Broughton 

Founder and Chairman of the Gold Coast Titans, Paul was the driving force behind the Titans securing an NRL Licence.  His career has spanned  1st grade player for St George and Balmain, 1st grade coach for Balmain and Newtown, Manager of the Australian youth teams, Operations Manager for NSW and State of Origin, CEO of the ARL team Gold Coast Chargers.  His commitment to sport and community projects are well documented, having received the Australian Sports Medal 2000 for services to sport, Eunice Gill National Award for Education, Order of the Gold Coast 2006. His community initiatives include programs such as Women in Rugby League, National Aboriginal Rugby League programs, Rugby League programs for the Disabled, Necksafe and HIV programs.

Graham Osborne OL

Graham Osborne originally from New Zealand is a long time Papua New Guinea resident and now calls PNG home.
A passionate rugby union follower, Osborne in his ‘hey days’ played rugby back in the land of the long white clouds.
Osborne is currently the chairman of the Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation Board and also the current president of the Port Moresby Golf Club.
Osborne also held the position of PNG Rugby Football Union as President from 2005 to 2008 and during his tenure, rugby in PNG moved quickly up another level.
Osborne was also very passionate about seeing rugby at the junior level soar to greater heights.
During his reign Osborne was actively involved in developing junior rugby and making sure kids coming through were well equipped to make the senior squads and play rugby at the international level.
Osborne played an influential role in seeing that SCRUM from Lae Rugby was totally recognised and this was made possible when PNGRFU under Osborne’s presidency sanctioned SCRUM.
In 2008 under Osborne’s guidance and his last year in PNGRFU office the Junior PNG Pukpuks participated in their first ever FORU (Federation Oceania Rugby Union) Cup tournament.
Osborne along with former PNGRFU CEO Peter Tsiamalili junior during that time were on the FORU board as committee members and attended a meeting to include the Junior PNG Pukpuks in the FORU tournament.
Osborne is also a popular businessman and runs and owns the Ela Beach  Brassiere Restaurant located down town right opposite Ela Beach in Port Moresby.
The restaurant is well known for its tasty and delicious pizza’s it makes’s and deliver’s around the city limits.