Q-Cup odds on for U20s

 By JACK AMI

THERE is a possibility that a PNG Hunters Under-20 team will play in the Platinum League of the Queensland Cup in 2018.

This is breaking news and a first of its kind opportunity for junior players in the country, who will now look forward for the big challenge ahead of them to be selected to represent PNG.

It will take Papua New Guinea two years to develop an U20 team and compete in the Q-Cup’s Platinum League.

This was revealed by Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League chief executive officer Bob Cutmore during the PNGRFL annual general meeting at Bluff Inn, 17-Mile, outside Port Moresby.

Cutmore told the PNGRFL board and the 44 affiliates to introduce the U20 in place of the U19 competition in their leagues. He said: “We need to develop and start the U20 competition so Hunters can have a team in the Platinum League, which will run for 13 weeks.

“This gives opportunities for the U20s to play a good standard of football,” the chief executive officer said.

“This will be a stepping stone and pathway for potential talents to showcase their skills at this level and standard of football against some of the best teams in Queensland.”

The players will come under the guidance of the SP PNG Hunters junior development squad leading up to 2018.

All affiliated clubs of respective leagues must ensure that the U20 players are below that age and should produce birth certificates or records to confirm eligibility to play in the competition.