League inspires Lae girls

MORE than 300 female students from seven schools in Lae attended the PNGNRL programme on Friday that coincided with the International Women’s Day.
The students from Bugandi Secondary, Bumayong Secondary, Busu Secondary, Lae Secondary, Lae Community College, Markham Road Primary and Tent City Primary took part in the activities organised by PNG NRL manager Cathy Neap and her staff.
According to the league it was the first time a large turnout of females from the schools in the Morobe capital to participate in their rugby league programme themed “Girls Fun Day”.
The programme also saw members of the city’s Digicel Cup franchise the Lae Snax Tigers who delivered messages on International Women’s Day and lead sessions and activities.
Female players from the Lae Rugby League competition joined the Tigers players in the League Bilong Laif Girls Fun Day.
A statement from the PNG NRL stated that Friday was a first LBL session conducted in the province and the region (Mamose) and the first “Power Meri” community screening for students in Lae.
The League Bilong Laif is a sport for development programme run in partnership with the Australian Government (through DFAT), National Department of Education (PNG), and the Australian Rugby League Commission (through the NRL). The programme has an education outcome and runs in NCD, Goroka (Eastern Highlands), Kokopo (East New Britain) and Buka (Autonomous Region of Bougainville). The LBL programme is an inclusive programme that targets boys and girls of all abilities, at primary school level.
The Girls Fun Day is one of LBL’s special events — the others being community outreach, holiday clinic and inclusive day — and targets women and girls.
It uses rugby league themed activities with key messaging to address gender issues such as gender-based violence. This was the first time to run any session in the Mamose region.
Neap said the response was overwhelmingly positive.