Partnership creates pathway for Orchids

The National Sports

By JACK AMI
THE national women’s rugby league team have a recognised pathway, thanks to the Orchids’ partnership with the Brisbane Broncos, according to an official.
The partnership will see some of the best Broncos players in NRL women’s competition rub shoulders with Orchids when they face off at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Aug 31.
Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka said the partnership would benefit the Orchids as it would identify potential talent to be selected for the Broncos next season.
Tsaka said he was supportive of the partnership as “it is my duty to see that PNG players are given the opportunity to go a step further in their careers”.
“I thank the Broncos for their commitment to develop women’s rugby league in PNG,” he said.
“With more of these matches, our women can strive for the next level in rugby league.
“I’m confident that the bulk of the players who have represented the Orchids are heading in the right direction and we have to maintain that so they achieve their goals.
“However, it is not easy as our women must be disciplined and should maintain their fitness. They must also have a positive attitude towards the game.
“We have so many players with an attitude problem so to change that, we are focusing on the next generation of players in the national schools rugby league competition.”
Tsaka said the Port Moresby-based Orchids were training for the Broncos clash.
He said they would be joined by other Orchids players from outside centres before the final squad of 20 are selected to face the Broncos.
Meanwhile, Orchids vice-captain Carol Humeu the match was a great opportunity for the team to showcase their talent and test their skills against a quality Broncos outfit.
“We have several experienced campaigners still in their prime,” she said. “We also have youngster who will need to combine well with the senior players.
“For that to happen, we need to train hard and stay focus on the task ahead of us. It is going to be tough match.”