NCD rugby secures venue

THE National Capital District Rugby Union received sponsorship that will enable them to secure a venue to run their games.
NCDRU president Cybele Druma said hiring a venue like the Sir John Guise Stadium was costly with the use of the field around K114,000 for the season.
Australian company Paladin yesterday pledged to help the union in terms of venue hire as well as providing match officials with uniforms and materials.
Paladin PNG services contract manager Shelby Higgs gave K7,000 for venue hire and other arrangements before the competition kicks off.
Higgs said the company was committed to helping develop rugby in the community and supporting the NCDRU was one way of doing that.
While Higgs did not disclose the overall value of the sponsorship, he said the company was committed to the union.
“We’re beginning with a small amount but we will work with the NCDRU and eventually become the naming rights sponsor.
“We will support rugby in whatever ways we can.”
Druma thanked Paladin saying the funds would be used to hire the venue, referee uniforms and payment as well as purchasing related equipment for the competition.
Druma said she would negotiate with the PNG Sports Foundations to have the Sir John Guise Stadium as their venue for 2019.
“It will cost us K114,000 to have games for 15 weeks.”
Druma said the use of the SJGS would eventually cost the union around K200,000 in total over the course of the season.
The NCDRU started its season last week at Bava Park but Druma said this was temporary as the union would move to SJGS this month.