PNGRFL pushing for more women’s competitions

THE Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka has warned affiliates to comply with the requirement to introduce a women’s division in the competition.
Tsaka said league presidents needed to make women’s rugby league a priority and he wanted a more concerted effort in achieving that goal.
He said the PNGRFL would not recognise leagues that did not have a women’s division.
“This (having a women’s division) is a requirement and all local leagues should comply with it to be part of PNGRFL,” Tsaka said.
“We won’t entertain leagues who do not comply with our requirements. They will be deregistered.”
“We have to be tough on this so we can get results and ensure the sport grows.”
He said the PNGRFL only required that a league had three divisions: senior men, women and Under-20s.
“The women’s competition was introduced because we want to promote gender equality and use women’s sport to raise awareness on issues affecting women in our communities,” Tsaka said.
He said the traditional beliefs and attitudes towards women needed to change and rugby league was committed to doing its part.
Tsaka said PNG rugby league was looking to develop across the board and that meant they needed to include women as well.
He said the same matter was raised last year in their AGM in Lae for all the leagues to introduce womens competition — Port Moresby, Moresby South, Lae, Goroka and Mt Hagen have complied to the requirements while other leagues were yet to have women’s competition this season.