PNG Chiefs build pathways, invest in education

The PNG Chiefs are heavily investing in their junior development system, creating opportunities for Papua New Guineans and strengthening rugby league pathways across the country to build something that lasts well beyond game day.

With talented players spreading across the country, the Chiefs established its pathway program in 2023 throughout the six provinces, including Port Moresby, Central, Lae, Goroka, Mt Hagen, and Rabaul. 

“PNG has never lacked talent. From Lae to Mount Hagen, Kokopo to Wewak, Goroka to Port Moresby, young players grow up with a love for rugby league and the ability to play it,” PNG Chiefs said in a statement. 

“Too often, however, geography, family circumstances, and limited access to facilities have stood between that talent and real opportunity. As a club, we’re determined to help change that.” 

Working alongside the PNG Rugby Football League and the pathways already operating in communities, the club will focus on connecting local rugby league to elite development and professional football.

“The aim is not to replace the people and programs doing important work across PNG, but to strengthen them and make the pathway clearer. It will be about more than football,” the statement read. 

“At the centre of that plan is the PNG Chiefs Centre of Excellence. It will provide up to 50 of Papua New Guinea’s most promising young players with the chance to live, train, and develop in a professional environment.

“Every player in the program will continue their education or undertake vocational and trade training alongside rugby league. 

“We believe that our responsibility as a club is not only to develop better players but also to help young people become capable, educated, and confident members of their communities.” 

The club’s community work will follow the same principle, adding: “Partnerships will be built with Papua New Guinean organizations, communities, and leaders that understand local needs and can deliver genuine, measurable outcomes. 

“Investment will focus on youth development, education, health, and rugby league pathways, and working with organizations where there is strong governance and value for all Papua New Guineans – not simply where noise is generated.

“That commitment includes investing in people. PNG Chiefs Community Support Officer Urith Toua is currently completing a sports leadership course in the United States to build skills that can be brought home to support community programs in PNG.” 

Other staff will follow that model to increase the Chiefs’ capacity as a club, ensuring every kina invested by the club achieves its purpose in supporting programs that are accountable, aligned with its priorities, and capable of making a lasting difference.

“The PNG Chiefs are, and always will be, a Papua New Guinean club. The PNG Chiefs will listen, work with communities, and work with PNGRFL,” the statement explained.   

“Our identity comes from our country, our community programs will serve Papua New Guineans, and our long-term ambition is to see more Papua New Guineans in coaching, executive, specialist, and leadership roles across the organization.”

The statement further said: “Building a new NRL club will require input from those with experience in Australia and further afield in rugby league.  

“Our goal is not to have an organization permanently reliant on it, but to have one which creates the knowledge, experience, and opportunities for Papua New Guineans to lead it to an even greater level than now.”

For a young player anywhere in the country, the message is simple: “There should be a pathway for you, and we’re determined to bring that to be.

“This club is more than just a team that will compete every week from 2028, and our success and legacy will extend far beyond that.

“It’s about turning the talent that exists in this great country into opportunity and ensuring that opportunity reaches further than ever before.”