World rugby league federation focuses on women

By PARKER TAMBUA
THE Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) is looking at focusing more on women’s rugby league in the country with the aim of showcasing women on and off the field.
This was outlined by RLIF Southern Hemisphere general manager Jeremy Edwards in a press conference in Port Moresby last week.
Edwards said the RLIF was looking at promoting the women’s rugby league by bringing more Orchids’ games to other parts of the country as well as more test matches abroad.
“What we are trying to do with these PNG Orchids matches coming up is that we are clearly trying to push the women’s game as much as we can,” Edwards said.
“You’ve heard about programmes about violence and drug abuse, these are some of the things we look to get involved with.
“We need to show the world that we are actively involved in addressing these issues and what a great way to do it using women’s rugby league.
“It is also exciting that we are looking at taking Orchids test matches outside of Port Moresby.
“We need to push the envelopes and make sure these matches are played.
“Not only that rugby league is Papua New Guinea’s national sport but also to spread women’s rugby league to the wider communities and that is the right thing to do.”
Edwards said there was a big difference between the men and women’s game and that RLIF was looking at promoting women’s involvement off the field.
“We consider what sort of sponsors should get involved with the women’s team compared with the men’s game so that this will really showcase them, giving them more opportunities to travel.
“We doing all these so that when the Orchids travel to England for the 2021 World Cup, they are aware of their training and conditioning, putting them in hotels, checking them and community engagements all these things will help up-skill the girls in their own abilities.”