Australian Rugby League Commission wants PNG to be the anchor to unify the Pacific
AUSTRALIAN Rugby League acting executive general manager – Participation John Wilson says they want Papua New Guinea to be the anchor in their bid to unify the code in the Pacific region.
Speaking during the official welcome of the four Australian PM’s teams by the Australian High Commission to PNG on Friday, Wilson on behalf of Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys thanked the Australian Government for its continued support to the annual PM’s XIII fixture, their ties with the board of the PNG Rugby Football League specifically via the Pacific Australian Sports Program which has allowed them to deliver their community programs across PNG.
Wilson described the PM’s XIII concept as a wonderful occasion on the rugby league calendar that now aligns and provides the opportunity for many next generation players to grow from.
“In my role in overseeing grassroots rugby league across Australia there is no better place to see the passion of the game than in Papua New Guinea.
“The growth that we have seen across PNG is absolutely amazing.
“To see rugby league transform lives and hope throughout the country and the partnership with the Australian Government and the PNG Rugby League is inspiring.
“We (ARLC) thank you both for the partnership as rugby league is the biggest game in the Pacific.
“PNG is rugby league heartland and the ARLC is deeply committed to the game in this country.
“The game ties PNG and Australia together in more ways that one can think of and we are still continuing to look for ways to strengthen that resolve.
“That is why the ARLC developed the Pacific strategy,” added Wilson.
He said the PM’s XIII, this weeks Pacific Championships and the PNG Hunters demonstrates the commitment that the game, the country, the Government’s together want to see drive the game.
Wilson further highlighted that the ties has also allowed for both countries to jointly host the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
“Exciting times ahead,” added Wilson.
So, on the back of this, he said the ARLC couldn’t agree more with PNG Prime Minister James Marape that rugby league can unify PNG with 800 different dialects and languages.
“In fact, we want rugby league to be the unifying language in the pacific region and we want PNG to be the anchor in that unification.
“That’s the ambition we have for the game with its diversity in the broader community as it reflects the very best of a modern, vibrant and progressive Pacific.
“The sport is beyond entertainment, it can change lives and transform communities and there is no sport that is as magic as rugby league on this planet.”
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source link
