Twenty-eight institutions compete in schools’ league

NATIONAL Capital District School Rugby League has 28 institutions taking part in its competition this season, according to president Arnold Gende.
There are Under-14, U16 and U18 teams in the boys division as well U18 girls.
The competition is run by Gende and coordinator Desmond Hahepa with support from all 28 schools.
The school teams come from the city’s three electorates.
North West with six male teams each in the U14s and U16s and U18s, and four U18 female sides.
Moresby South has 10 male teams each in the U14s, U16s and U18s, and 10 U18 female sides.
North East has 12 male teams each in U14s, U16s and U18s, and 10 U18 female sides.
Gende said the league was using only one field, Kaugere Rugby League Oval, to run all its games.
He said they had identified a lot of untapped talents who were being monitored for the provincial championships.
Gende urged teachers to make an effort to manage their students because they were representing the schools.
“We are delivering development through the early age groups, but need support from the corporate sector and local politicians,” he said.
Hahepa said only registered players would be allowed to play from round five.
He warned that all the players needed to be registered to take the field.
“We will be strict on this as our selection process only recognises registered players,” Hahepa said.
He said 40 players would be selected in each division for trials and a final 20 named for the provincial championships in Port Moresby.
Gende thanked Moresby South Rugby League and the Kaugere community for allowing the competition to be played there.