Vipers deal breaks new ground

SUPER League club Hull Kingston Rovers’ groundbreaking partnership with the Port Moresby Vipers is the start of a long term pathway programme to get more Vipers academy players into the UK, an official says.
Hull KR legend and head of academy Jason Netherton said during the Vipers’ Digicel ExxonMobil Cup season launch on Friday that they would take two players from the current Vipers academy to the UK.
Netherton said the partnership would see these players undergo studies in the north of England while they train in the Hull KR academy programme.
“In couple of months’ time two young lads from the Vipers academy will get the opportunity to move over to UK and experience our culture, education, our way of life, our academy, our rugby league culture and the whole package of what it looks like for us,” Netherton said.
“That excites me. You guys (Vipers) have worked hard to see this come to fruition and it took two years to get to this point.
“This is a long term project. It’s not just about this two players, we are talking about 10 years down the line and we want more to come,” he said.
Netherton said Papua New Guineans have so much passion for rugby league and Hull KR recognised that.
“When you watch Papua New Guinea rugby league, you can see that everybody who is playing the game or who’s involved in the game are always passionate about the game.
“Over the last few days we’ve spent hours going around Port Moresby and everywhere drive or walk around there’s kids playing rugby on every patch of grass.
“So in couple of months’ time, the two young lads from Vipers will get the experience that will change their lives.”
NCD Governor Powes Parkop and representative from the British High Commission to PNG, attended the launch.