Partnerships secure future

GREETINGS to all our rugby league family and welcome to our 8th edition of “Fulltime Reserve” column for this year, in our favourite rugby league newspaper, The National.
While sporting activities continue to be under lock down as a result of the pandemic, the Papua New Guinea Rugby League has been privileged to confirm some major long term partnerships to secure the future of the sport.
These partnerships will support our programmes for our young men and women and we are excited that our partners appreciate the value and importance of rugby league in this country; both as a major sporting event embraced by our people; and, as a nation building and development tool.
These partnerships are based on shared values and a profound belief in the many social and economic opportunities the sport provides for our people at all levels.
This week, the PNGRFL was honoured to announce the signing of two major the long-term partnerships with Exxon Mobil, the operators of PNG LNG Project in PNG for the PNG LNG Kumuls, and Digicel (PNG) Ltd for our flagship national competition, the Digicel Cup
The commitment by PNG LNG is to continue their naming rights partnership with the PNG LNG Kumuls for three more years. PNG LNG has been supporting the Kumuls since 2013. The PNG LNG Kumuls were ranked 16th in the world when the partnership started and going into the 2021 World Cup, the PNG LNG Kumuls are ranked 6th in the world.
Similarly, the commitment by Digicel (PNG) Ltd to continue their naming rights partnership of the Digicel Cup is for a further two years.
Digicel has been a partner with the PNGRFL since coming on board to support the national competition in 2010 and their continued partnership has seen the competition grow and expand significantly from an unstable eight-team competition to a professional 12-team competition, with the potential for further growth and improvement into the future.
Both PNG LNG and Digicel have also been great supporters of the domestic game through their support of our domestic pathway programmes and confederate and national tournaments. They have also provided great support to the SP PNG Hunters, having been inaugural partners and continue to proudly support the team.
On behalf of the rugby league family in PNG, we are extremely grateful for their partnership.
The results of these partnerships have yielded over the last eight years, both on and off the field; for our domestic and international programmes is a testament to the importance and value of these successful partnerships.
Next week, the PNGRFL is looking forward to making another two announcements with confirmations of long-term partnerships to support the PNG Orchids and the National Women’s Rugby League programme in PNG, and the restructured National Schools Rugby League programme.
All these partnerships and the many programmes they support will set the foundation for the continued and sustained growth and development of the sport into the future.
Until next week, may the grace, love and care of our Good Lord be with you.

Cheers,
Sandis,