New women’s comp coming

THE Digicel Cup will have a women’s competition in the “near future” as a pathway to the Orchids, according to Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition manager Ora Gairo.
He said that when announcing a PNG Orchids trial match (12.30pm kick-off) as a curtain-raiser to tomorrow’s clash between Gulf Isou and Enga Mioks (3pm).
“I would like to congratulate all the Orchids squad members for making it this far,” Gairo told the Santos-backed national women’s rugby league train-on group. You have proved to be the best in the nation, and I know that you will do well this weekend.
“Congratulations to PNG Rugby Football League chief executive Stanley Hondina, Orchids chairman Okaro Yogi and coach Ben Jeffries for all the hard work involved in organising the squad.
“We have slotted the trial game at the Santos National Football Stadium with a match between Enga Mioks and Gulf Isou in round 15 of the Digicel Cup. The Orchids’ game will be played at 12.30pm as a curtain-raiser. The Digicel Cup will also have a women’s competition in the near future which will be a pathway to the Orchids team.”
PNGRFL chief executive Stanley Hondina expressed there was much excitement about the progress of the Orchids’ selections.
“We are excited to see this pathway coming to life,” he said.
“We’re thrilled that our (PNG-based) women have been given a fair chance to take part and make the national team. We wish them all the best and to learn as much as they can while in camp as it’s costing us a good investment to have these highly-competitive coaching staff come in to assist and oversee the games.” Meanwhile, the Orchids acknowledged the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports programme for the support in hosting the trial match.