Japanese club signs up Logona

PAPUA New Guinea women’s sevens star Joanne Logona, pictured, has become the first homegrown talent to be signed up by an overseas club. Lagona, who flew out with the Palais on Monday for this weekend’s Hong Kong Sevens, is set to take up a contract with the Tokyo Phoenix club in the 2017 Japanese women’s rugby union season.
She will join the club straight after the Hong Kong tournament.
Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko, who made the announcement yesterday, said the PNG Sports Foundation has assisted Logona negotiate the contract with the Phoenix after her incredible performance at the HSBC Sydney Sevens in February this year.
Logona, who scored four tries, went on to be named in the tournament team.
Tkatchenko said the contract was a first for PNG women, for a local talent to secure a contract.
This he said was inspiring and greater encouragement for girls and women in the country.
The Pelagai woman’s performance was witnessed by Phoenix club chairman, Yohei Shinomiya, a former Japanese national rep.
Shinomiya had tried to contact Logona in Sydney in February but was not successful and went through a number of rugby contacts in several countries who finally connected him with the PNG Sports Foundation.
He added that it was a great honour to invite Logona to play for their club and they looked forward to her contribution at the club.
Prior to her departure, Logona said she was privileged to be given the opportunity and would put in her best as this was a once in a life time chance for her.
Logona said she understood the challenges she would face in a professional competition and that would push her to improve.
She was hopeful this would create more opportunities for the women playing rugby.