Beattie, league heads to watch PM’s 13 fixture

HEADS of Rugby League International Federation (RLIF), Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) and Queensland Rugby League (QRL) will be in Port Moresby for the annual Prime Minister’s 13 international match on Saturday.
PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka said Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter Beattie and QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher arrive in Port Moresby tomorrow.
“We will be meeting with the ARLC chairman later in the day to discuss issues of mutual interest on the game for both countries,” Tsaka said.
He said RLIF chief executive Nigel Woods and Asia Pacific Confederation general manager Jeremy Edwards would be in the country tomorrow.
“We will be discussing among other things the calendar for more international matches for our national teams including the Kumuls,” Tsaka said.
He said the visits by these dignitaries to PNG shows the regard that PNGRFL is held in the world.
“On behalf of the PNGRFL, our partners and the extended rugby league family in the country, Iwelcome them to PNG and to the Prime Ministers 13 international matches,” Tsaka said.
Beattie, a former premier of Queensland as well as chairman of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Corporation, will visit PNG first and then Fiji.
Beattie will travel with the Australian PM’s 13 teams to Port Moresby, ahead of their matches this Saturday.
Beattie will then visit Fiji, meeting with dignitaries and local rugby league authorities on the growth of the international game.
“We have an incredible game both in Australia and abroad and over the course of the next few weeks, our Australian men’s and women’s teams will take part in matches in PNG and New Zealand,” Beattie said.
“Along with matches, our teams will take part in important social and educational campaigns in classrooms and among local communities.
“I look forward to participating in these programmes, and visiting two of our Pacific neighbours, who contribute a great deal to the success of our game.
“Both PNG and Fiji, along with other Pacific nations, have bright futures in our game and together, we will continue to work on expansion opportunities both on and off the field.”