Teams geared up for new season of UPNG rugby league

TEAMS are primed for the University of Papua New Guinea Rugby League season which is expected to kick off in Port Moresby next weekend.
The league ended its preseason nines on Tuesday.
League president Melvin Paul said they were looking forward to the new season.
“The pre-season nines was aimed at preparing the teams for the new season,” he said.
“We have 12 existing clubs that are confirmed to compete in the new season.
“We’ve invited Pacific Adventist University, Institute of Business Studies, Don Bosco Technical Institute and International Training Institute to field teams.”
Paul said the league was advocating for unity among students through rugby league.
He said rugby league could bridge cultural differences.
“We have lot of social issues on campus, in relation to provincialism and regionalism,” Paul said.
“Our competition doesn’t support provincial teams, we play in schools or programmes offered by the university.
“A lot of people love rugby league and that is why we want to advocate for unity through the sport.”
Paul said the league was aiming to raise the standard of its competition every season.
He said the competition continued to supply players to Digicel Cup franchises.
“We have a number of players who are with Hela Wigmen and Port Moresby Vipers,” Paul said.
“Players like Wigmen captain Valentine Culligan have come through the league.
“The league will continue to produce players for Digicel Cup franchises.”