Highlands zone trials set to kick off in Goroka

By ELIAS LARI
ONLY 12 leagues affiliated to the Highlands Confederation will take part in their regional championships in Goroka this weekend.
The 12 are from a total of 16 affiliate leagues.
The 12 leagues that will have teams are Goroka, Kundiawa, Nondugl, Banz, Kimil, Minj, Banin Kudjip, Mt Hagen, Pangia, Mendi, Wabag and Porgera.
The K-Hornbill, Togoba, Nebilyer and North Waghi leagues will not have teams in the tournament becuase they were unable to register their teams.
Highlands confederation director Joe Tokam said the majority of the leagues had satisfied Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League’s minimum players registration requirements and had their competitions running.
The 11 leagues, with Porgera as the newcomer, would look to impress Tokam and his selectors in order to make the Highlands side for the national zone championships.
“These 12 are qualified to participate in the Highlands trials and we’re expecting a tough competition from the highlands provinces,” Tokam said.
Tokam said the Goroka, Kundiawa, Banz, Mt Hagen, Wabag and Porgera leagues were running women’s competition and would also take their women’s sides as well as their Under-20s to the tournament.
The women’s and U20s competitions would be before the senior men’s competition while the senior men’s competition would follow on from that.
Tokam said there was increased for the women’s game in the Highlands with the PNG Orchids set to take on the Australian Jillaroos next month.
Meanwhile, he said the PNGRFL was also embarking on its junior development plan to provide a pathway for the national schoolboy’s rugby league competition.
Tokam said the national school rugby league competition was key development programme under the responsibility under national development manager Toksy Nema and Arnold Krewanty.
He said the Highlands Confederation was aiming ti be fully alligned with the PNGRFL’s strategic plan by conducting schoolboy’s competition in Goroka, Kundiawa, Jiwaka, Western Highlands, Southern Highlands and Enga.
“The PNGRFL is also collaborating closely with the national government policy on gender equity in sports by introducing a women’s U20s competition for students and youth in Goroka, Jiwaka, Western Highlands and Enga,” Tokam said.