Coca-Cola schools c’ships kick off

THE Coca-Cola National Schools Rugby League Regional Championships start with the New Guinea Islands leg at Kalabond Oval in Kokopo tomorrow and Saturday.
The championships will be attended by schools that have met the affiliation and registration requirements set by the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL).
Coca-Cola PNG Limited had signed a five-year agreement with PNGRFL last December as naming rights sponsors of the National Schools Rugby League competition, with the aim of promoting junior development in the sport.
According to PNGRFL, the competition and championships are only for school children and not outsiders.
The Highlands leg will be played at Jonah Ambane Oval in Minj, Western Highlands, from June 14-15. The Northern leg will be played at the Lae Rugby League Ground on the same date. The National Football Stadium will host the Southern leg from June 21- 22.
The championships will select teams in Under-14, U16 and U18 boys and U18 girls divisions to represent their confederation at the national championships in Port Moresby from July 1-8.
The draws and the number of centres travelling to Kokopo for the NGI Championships are still being confirmed in view of the PNGRFL affiliation and player registration requirements.