Shield named after Fox

GREETINGS to our rugby league family and welcome to our 23rd edition of “Fulltime Reserve” column for this year, in our favourite rugby league newspaper, The National.
The Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) successfully completed its final round of the 2021 Digicel Cup Premiership last weekend with the finalisation of the top six teams that will compete in the finals, beginning this weekend.
The final round also saw the Lae Snax Tigers win the coveted minor premiership after they beat the Kimbe Cutters 22-18 in Kimbe after the initial competition leaders, PRK Mendi Muruks lost 0-6 to a fired up Moni Plus NCDC Vipers in Lae.
This was the Tigers’ sixth minor premiership in the last 10 years and together with three Digicel Cup premierships and two Melanesian Cup titles. The Lae Snax Tigers have set an unprecedented benchmark as possibly the best rugby league team in PNG and the Pacific over the last decade (since 2011).
This year, the Digicel Cup has adopted a new perpetual minor premiership shield which the PNGNRLC Board has decided to name the ‘Don Fox Memorial Minor Premiership Shield’ in recognition of the immense contributions made to the PNGNRLC and the game as the founding chairman of the PNGNRLC (Digicel Cup) from 2005-2012 and later as the chairman of the PNGRFL from 2012-2013.
The Lae Tigers will be officially presented with the inaugural Don Fox Memorial Minor Premiership Shield this weekend during the first round of the finals in Port Moresby.
On behalf of the PNGRFL and the rugby league family across PNG, we commend the PNGNRLC Board led by Chairman Adrian Chow for this decision to honour and recognise the services of one of the great servants of the game, who has contributed immensely to the sport over the last 40 years as a player, official and administrator.
It is a fitting recognition for a great advocate of the game in PNG and we are sure the inaugural winners, the Lae Tigers, will be honoured and deserving of this esteemed recognition to add to their impressive trophy box.
On behalf of the PNGRFL and our rugby league family, we commend the Lae Tigers franchise, the players and officials and their committed sponsors and supporters who have worked hard to set an exemplary benchmark for the management of any elite professional sporting franchise in PNG and the Pacific region.
While we all look forward to the finals of the Digicel Cup premiership, we also congratulate and commend the other five finalists for this year, the Mendi Muruks, the Port Moresby Vipers, the Kroton Hela Wigmen and the JPG Waghi Tumbe.
We wish all the finalists the best for the finals series and appeal to all the teams and their supporters and officials to continue to play and support their teams in the spirit of sportsmanship and adhere to the ‘Banis Protocol’ Coronavirus guidelines to ensure the health and safety of all.
Until next week, may the grace, love and care of our Good Lord be with you.

Cheers,
Sandis