Central league up

RUGBY league followers in Central will have something to celebrate after newly established Central Province Rugby Football League Association  (CPRFLA) was announced yesterday in Port Moresby.

Under the new administration, the concept of the semi-professional league will come into play for the association where it have zones from the provine’s districts play in a district competition.

The concept was initiated by the Southern region rugby league development officer Ripa Kalamo and rugby league icon Jack Kedea, who is the deputy chairman of  the CPRFLA.

Chairman Emmanuel Ume said the vision of the association was to promote rugby league right down into the villages.

All districts will be affiliated to the newly established body which was the first association to affiliate to the PNG Rugby Football League in 2011.

This year the CPRLFA will be sending a team to New Zealand as part of an arrangement made to develop CPRFLA players.

Their team will comprise of players selected from the Southern and Central 9s tournament which was held late last year.

The matches are to be played in Auckland and Rotorua in New Zealand’s North Island will also allow for players to be scouted to remain in New Zealand to undergo advance training in the  New Zealand rugby league academy.

Ume said players chosen to attend the NZRLA would be valuable personel for PNGRFL bringing back a wealth of knowledge on training methods, coaching and skills development.

The team is scheduled to depart on Feb 24, however the association is yet to secure sponsors for the travel.

Ume has appealed ot business houses and individuals in Central to support the CPRFLA.