Schools league champs kick off

THE cream of Papua New Guinea schoolboys and girl rugby league players will converge on Port Moresby this week for the 2018 National Schools Rugby League (NSRL) Championships.
PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka said this year’s tournament would see the boys Under-16 and U18 and girls field teams from the four confederates participate.
“The three divisions have been selected from schools affiliated to the PNGRFL within the four confederates for the week-long tournament over the third term holidays,” Tsaka said.
He said the U16s kick off the tournament today.
“The U18s boys will play tomorrow and the girls open division on Thursday,” Tsaka added.
He said the boys would play 25 minutes each half while the girls play 20 minutes each half with a five minutes break in between.
Tsaka said there would be no finals. “The winner will be determined after all teams play each other in a round robin format. The team that ends up on top will be crowned the champions,” Tsaka said.
NCD Governor Powes Parkop kicks off the championships at 8.30am today. This will be followed by the first game between the U16 boys from Southern and New Guinea Islands at 9.30am.
This will be followed by the game between Northern and Highlands at 10.30am.
All games will be played at the Oil Search National Football Stadium.
Tsaka said the U14 boys would not take part this year due to costs. However he said they would definitely take part next year with the U16 and U18 boys and open girls.
Tsaka thanked Boroko Motors, Coca Cola and Trukai for their support to hosting this junior’s programme.
“We are also grateful to Air Niugini and PNG Air for the air travel and Wellness Lodge for accommodating the teams,” Tsaka said.
Tsaka extended his gratitude to the media and looked forward to their coverage of the national schools championships this week.