PNGRFL completes successful 2024 DigicelExxonMobil Cup Football Conference

The 2024 Digicel ExxonMobil Cup Football Conference successfully ended yesterday in Port Moresby with an intense two days of NRL education and assessment delivered by Matt Harrison of AFS Group, which resulted in the candidates receiving the first ever Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNG RFL) Sports Medical Trainer accreditation.

This demonstrates the importance of game administration and our clubs’commitment to players’ safety and their wellbeing.

The conference opened with Franchise Managers participating in a two-day workshop focusing on commercial opportunities, financial reporting, shared standards setting, compliance, governance, player safety and player welfare and
policy improvements.

The Head Coaches Conference from February 2nd – 3rd was facilitated by Joe Grima, Manager of High-Performance Coaching, to educate coaches on how to utilize technical and tactical coaching, the game analysis system, standard setting,
pathway development and live coaching which included observing the Hunters’ interclub trial match on Saturday.

“I am really pleased that the recent two-day Digicel ExxonMobil Cup coaching workshop was highly successful, with enthusiastic engagement from our coaching staff. The provided materials, coupled with follow-up opportunities, promise a lasting impact on the PNG coaching program. Our coaches’ commitment reflects a dedication to continuous improvement within our game in PNG, especially pleasing if we become the NRL 18th Team,” Grima said.

The purposefully designed conference provided the clubs with the greatest opportunities to prepare for the 2024 season and encourage club professionalism.

Mr Tony Archer, Competition Governance Manager, indicated, “This conference is a demonstration of the importance and investment that the game is making in driving club professionalism in our competition to improve the standards. This is the first step in ensuring that we work closely with our clubs, develop the skills and opportunities for all within the game. We place players’ safety, coach development, and strong franchises at the forefront of our ambition to achieve club professionalism in our Digicel ExxonMobil Cup competition in 2024. Our clubs have been provided with education and tools that are equivalent to the NRL.”

Mr Stanley Hondina, CEO of PNGRFL, said, “PNGRFL is constantly striving to improve the standards of the game across the country. This conference is a part of how we provide opportunities for those in rugby league to improve as coaches and
managers, but also as people. We are focused on family and the community, that we will provide our players a safe environment through training. The large infrastructure investment in game analysis, medical infrastructure and improving the sustainability and strength of our clubs links directly with our strategic objectives.”