Speaking at the launch of the 2025 rugby league season, the General Manager for Pathways and Performance at the Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNG NRLC), Tony Archer, emphasized the significant strides made in the sport and the clear pathway now available for aspiring players The event celebrated the rich history of rugby league in the nation, showcasing highlights from the benchmark 2024 season. The General Manager underscored the pivotal moment of December 12, 2024, which he stated “changed this country in Rugby League. Changed and changed forever,” alluding to the ongoing developments towards a PNG NRL team. However, he stressed that this progress is built upon a strong foundation of over 35 years, where rugby league has been more than just a game. “It’s the national sport and the national sport not just about Rugby League on the field but the connection of people and the connection of community and the opportunity for young men and young women now to make their light in the game all the way through to making a living out of it.” He highlighted the remarkable journey of a team that went from being the “Wooden Spooners” in 2023 to winning the competition in 2024, attributing it to a combination of factors including hard work. Mr. Archer acknowledged the 12 participating clubs, stating that the league provides them not only a livelihood but also a platform to showcase their skills, ability, and leadership to their communities. A new initiative for the 2025 season, a sign promoting “better people, better sport, better nation,” reflects the focus on developing individuals both on and off the field. The General Manager spoke of a recent meeting with the 12 club captains to discuss their roles as leaders within the nation. The national competition, spanning 22 weeks across various regions, allows local communities to support their players and contribute back to their areas. Looking towards the future, the PNG NRLC envisions significant growth over the next five to ten years, driven by community rugby league, the Digicel Exxon Mobil Cup, the women’s national competition, and a newly introduced Under-19s national competition. This inaugural Under-19s competition will see six pathway clubs representing their regions over seven weeks, providing a crucial first step for young male players, with plans to expand to include young women in the coming years. The launch also highlighted ongoing youth championships for Under-15 to Under-18 boys and girls, demonstrating the comprehensive pathway now in place for young talent to develop and showcase their abilities. “For us, 2024 was a wonderful opportunity to benchmark our game,” General Manager Archer stated. “From 2025 we know it’s going to improve while everyone is connected between community rugby league, PNG, NRLC, Digicel ExxonMobil and our youth comp and Santos with the hunters, with the NRL franchise. All of those connecting is what’s going to make rugby league in this country great.”