PNG MEDIA REPS COMMENCE WEEKLONG “INTERNATIONAL MEDIA VISIT PROGRAM”

CAPTION: PNG Media representative, with NRL Host Brad Walter at Commbank Stadium.

With the aim to deepen understanding of the National Rugby League ahead of the planned entry of the PNG Chiefs into the competition in 2028, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs funded International Media Visit” program officially commenced today, with the team of Media representatives from Papua New Guinea, visit to CommBank Stadium to watch the Rugby League Match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Penrith Panthers.

The weeklong visit involved engagement with the NRL Host Brad Walter and Michael Asensio, and Ed Little, Assistant Director of NRL Task Force at DFAT who gave a briefing on Australian Government investment for Rugby League in the Pacific.

The team will also be visiting the ABC head office, will have a chat with Joan Lester and Joey Grima on the success of PNG RFL Academy program and also Women’s Rugby League.

There will also be visits to NRL Club High Performance Centres, the West Tigers and South Sydney Rabbitohs media engagements and also attend a Media Workshop with the NRL Media apart from other exciting activities too.

Through direct exposure to Australian media practices, the program will support skills development, enhancing the quality, depth, and accuracy of NRL-related reporting.

The team will also have a workshop at Lowy institute, focussing on diplomacy and soft power in the region, hosted by Oli Nobetau, Acting pacific islands Program Director of the Australia- Papua New Guinea Network.

A key component of the PNG Chiefs initiative – and the broader Pacific Rugby League Partnership (PRLP) – is not only to support PNG’s entry into the NRL, but also to deliver broader social and economic benefits, which will be highlighted throughout the IMV program.