Women’s league in WHP

By ELIAS LARI
WESTERN Highlands is the fifth province to introduce a women’s rugby league competition that will enable them to participate in the PNG women’s rugby league tournament in Lae next month.
Organisers have already selected a 25-woman squad – the Mt Hagen Eagles – to represent the province in any rugby league challenges in future.
The squad will be playing a home side as a prelude to the Western Highlands Governor’s Cup challenge on Sunday.
WHP women’s rugby league president Regina Mek said it would be the first time to have a woman’s team representing the province in rugby league.
The other centres who have introduced women’s rugby league competition are Lae, Goroka, Port Moresby and Rabaul.
She said women should not be seen as unable to play a full contact sportand many of them had shown they could play rugby league like their male counterparts.
She said the tournament in Lae was to select a national side to prepare for a test match in New Zealand next April.
Mek added that some women were naturally gifted and had the talent and skills.
She said that the Eagles were currently training at the Pope John Paul Oval in Mt Hagen.
Mek also called on business houses and interested individuals to help support the women’s rugby league team.
More information for individuals interested in help can be obtained from Mek on phone: 71585280.
Mek is assisted by coach John Gigs and technical officer Francis Kot.