Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League has named the merit squad for the Women’s Division following the recent inaugural Telikom National Nines Championship in Port Moresby.
The squad of 19 players will head into a monitoring program that will include an extended squad of 25 players from each Confederate that participated in the 9’s tourney.
“The women’s game is a strong and emerging game globally and such we are adamant that due consideration and support needs to be provided,” said PNGRFL Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Hondina.
The PNGRFL CEO says the country does not have a semi-professional competition for women and this model of training and monitoring fills this gap.
Hondina said potential players who missed out playing in the Confederate Cup will be part of the extended regional squad.
He added that PNGRFL believes PNG Orchids Coach, Ben Jeffries has the knowledge of where women’s league is in the country and has the passion to put together a strong team to represent Papua New Guinea.
Coach Jeffries expressed his appreciation of the commitment and passion displayed over the 2-day Confederate Cup challenge. He said the extended squad will endure plenty education going forward not only to assist in this year’s World Cup players but for future groups post tournament so PNG Orchids become a recognized force within International Rugby League.
The PNG Orchids are currently ranked fourth in the world, and with a World Cup looming in 5 months’ time, it is PNGRFL’s interest to prepare women for the international event.
CEO Hondina said PNGRFL will support the monitoring program and assist the players for the RLWC at the end of the year.
The monitoring program will span over 3 months facilitated by qualified trainers from Digicel Cup Franchises and NRL in PNG who have assisted since 2019.
The program is scheduled to begin with testing and collection of players’ data on the 7th of May while sessions will be held at the Santos National Football Stadium in the lead up to July.
The merit squad includes Joanne Lagona (Southern), Lisa-Marie Alu (Highlands), Belinda Gwasamun (Highlands), Martha Molowia (Southern), Lyiannah Allen(Highlands),Lila Malabag(Southern),Delilah Ahose (Highlands),Regila Wilfred(Highlands),Rosewita Kapo(Southern), Gloria Kaupa(Highlands), Bethshiba Aloi (Southern), Leilah Kerowa(Southern),SusanYol(Southern),Veronica Waula (Southern), Michelle John(Northern),Tere Kiniwi(Southern), Freda Waula(Southern), Lorraine Taraho(NGI) and Doreen William.
According to PNGRFL the extended squad for each Confederate will be announced later this month.
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