A big thanks for Sponsor

THE chairman of the Papua New Guinea National Rugby League (PNGNRL) Thomas Higgins thanked SP Brewery and its management for the continuous support of the SP Cup competition for 2007.
He said that SP Brewery as a private enterprise company are the major sponsor of rugby league in Papua New Guinea, at both the local league level throughout PNG and also the flagship tournament the SP Cup.
He said the SP Cup competition was resurrected in 2005 after several years of non participation, and it was through the endeavours and foresight of SP management who in liaison with the PNGRFL and PNGNRL made the bold move to stand up and back the SP Cup competition for a three year initial period, with annual sponsorship funding of K400,000 a year for the next three years, giving a total funding of K1,200,000 for the support of the SP Cup competition.
As with many sports in Papua New Guinea, Higgins said it often falls on the shoulders of private enterprise companies to fund and sponsor sports in the country, and in the case of rugby league and in particular the SP Cup, the competition has been made possible and successful due to the positive response from companies from the private sector along with SP Brewery.
He said the competition in seasons 2005 and 2006 has shown growth and improvement in many areas.
He continued the standard of the competition from the participating teams has shown tremendous improvement from 2005 to 2006, and this has been reflected in terms of the interest from the rugby league supporters and fans of the various franchises where crowd attendances in 2006 showed a growth of 40% year on year, and it is hoped that with a similar improvement in season 2007, then total attendances at the premier sports competition in Papua New Guinea, "the SP Cup", should surpass 250,000 fans and spectators at all venues.
The PNGNRL Board and SP Brewery, Higgins said would like to see rugby league watched by families, and not just the adult fraternity.
To that end the PNGNRL board have revised prices for entry to SP Cup matches throughout Papua New Guinea, in such a way that the price for children to enter any match in the competition has been reduced to K2 only.
It is hoped that this will enable families to enjoy at an affordable price a good afternoon's entertainment at the footy, and hopefully enable young aspiring league players to learn from what they view on a Sunday afternoon.
The competition this year will have again nine franchise teams from the various centres throughout Papua New Guinea.
The teams participating in 2007 are the Agmark Gurias from East New Britain, the Brian Bell Bulldogs from Port Moresby, the LBC Bombers from Morobe, the Mabey and Johnson Muruks from Southern Highlands, the Toyota Mioks from Enga, the Pagini Warriors from Chimbu, the Wari Vele Raiders from Port Moresby and the two new franchises, namely the Bitangor Lahanis from Eastern Highlands and the Eagles from Western Highlands.
The PNGNRL Board wish all the participants every success in 2007 season, and would urge all franchises to emphasise to their management teams and players that it is essential for the continuing momentum of this premier competition that all players and management ensure that they play the game in accordance with the rules of rugby league and enforce the safe play code of practice at all times.
This will be a key driver to improved personal performances on the field, as well as providing greater entertainment for the viewing public.
He said in conclusion, the board of the PNGNRL look forward to a successful 2007 for the SP Cup and again wish to thank the franchise owners for their participation in making this the "greatest game of them all" in PNG, and also thank SP Brewery for the foresight and longterm strategy towards supporting this the premier sports competition in Papua New Guinea, namely, "THE SP CUP" .
Let's all have a great 2007 SP Cup competition.
 

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