Cricket PNG Hosts Regional Cricket Managers Conference to Set 2026 Plans and Budgets

Cricket Papua New Guinea (CPNG) successfully hosted its 2026 Regional Cricket Managers (RCM) Conference at the Amini Park Cricket Boardroom from Monday, 16 February to Tuesday, 17 February 2026, bringing together regional leaders to align structures, reporting frameworks, and strategic priorities for the year ahead.

This year’s conference was delivered in two parts to ensure wider regional participation. The Port Moresby session had 12 participants from the Southern and Islands regions, including NCD, Central, Popondetta, Milne Bay, and West New Britain. The second phase will be held in Goroka to cover the Highlands and MoMaSe regions, including Southern Highlands, Western Highlands, Eastern Highlands, Jiwaka, Madang, and Lae.

The conference welcomed RCMs from Alotau, Popondetta, Kimbe, and various districts within Central Province, reinforcing Cricket PNG’s commitment to strengthening its national footprint and ensuring consistent delivery across all provinces.

Opening the conference, Cricket PNG Board Chairman, Michael Harrison, delivered the welcome and official remarks, setting the tone for strategic planning, accountability, and structured growth for the year. 

The two-day conference focused heavily on organizational structure, reporting systems, and alignment across Cricket PNG’s three operational arms: Administration, Game Development, and High Performance (HP). The purpose of the conference was to ensure all regions operate in alignment with these core pillars.

Cricket PNG Operations Manager, Rarua Dikana, who led the conference, described the sessions as impactful and forward-looking, highlighting the development targets set for the year ahead.

“Very informative, educational learning approach in this conference. Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat analysis was carried out to review the operations of the Regional Cricket Managers who drive the involvement and participation in schools and in communities or villages,” he said.

“The RCMs focused on the involvement and participation planning and targets for the year 2026. Last year, the game development section covered up to 90,000 children through their schools and community involvement and participation.

“The RCMs will be aiming to better their 2025 outcomes and will be targeting to involve over 150,000 children in 2026. We have eleven regions, which are the main focus. We will be encouraging junior cricket competitions around the regions.

“Overall, it was a fruitful conference over the last two days, and the GD officers will aim to have a bigger and successful 2026.”

A key component of Day One was the presentation of the 2025 Regional Reports from West New Britain, Alotau, Popondetta, NCD, and Central, providing a comprehensive overview of achievements, operational challenges, and lessons learned.

The conference program incorporated critical operational areas, including:

• Domestic Cricket Operations

• Game Development Unit

• ICC Data Census and Reporting

• High Performance Unit Overview

• Umpire and Coach Education Planning

• Special Projects

• Domestic and International Calendar Planning

High Performance Manager and Head Coach (Barramundis), Tim McCaskill, provided an overview of the HP Unit, highlighting pathways for talent identification and elite preparation. 

Cricket PNG's Margaret Sibona and Helai Willie led discussions on ICC data census and reporting, emphasizing accurate data capture as essential for funding, compliance, and international benchmarking.

Managers Lakani Oala and Mrs. Sibona facilitated umpire and coach education planning, while Anthony Healy presented on special projects aimed at expanding cricket’s reach nationwide.

Day Two culminated in intensive planning and budgeting sessions for 2026. Regional Cricket Managers collaboratively outlined:

• School and community cricket activities

• Participation targets

• Development benchmarks

• Resource allocation priorities

These plans were presented for feedback to ensure national consistency, while accommodating regional realities.

The conference concluded with a dedicated personnel and accounts session led by Cricket PNG Office & Facility Manager Helen Koave, alongside Cricket PNG accounts officers, reinforcing governance, accountability, and financial compliance across all regions.

Ms. Koave, who has served the organization since March 2024, presented on the administrative structure and support systems enabling cricket operations nationwide.

“What I love about my job is offering admin support to the core function of CPNG to perform to their best on the national and global stage,” she said.

"The role of my team and I is to support Cricket PNG, which is like the engine room for the organization. We deal with HR matters, payroll, and finance functions and operations. 

“What we understand is that resources in remote areas are scarce, and therefore, we try to use the available resources to assist the RCMs in the remote areas.”

She further emphasised clear reporting lines and communication: “I reiterated that all their issues be directed to their line manager. So basically, I presented on the admin structure and the links to development and where we can assist.”

Her presentation underscored the importance of robust administrative systems in supporting geographically dispersed regional teams in the country. 

West New Britain Regional Cricket Manager, Nathan Henry, attended the conference and shared key insights gained during the sessions.

“One of the most important things I have learned is the Criiio Cricket Program - with the Criiio Program targeting the age group from 04 - 13 Years, will increase the involvement participation, with more intra competitions for this age group,” he observed. 

“Also, the Special Cricket Program - Anthony Healy, the man behind this program, and with the introduction of table cricket, and lots of indoor activities, it is an opportunity for me to learn and teach in my region.

“This conference gave us the opportunity for discussions to see how the programs fit in our regions to make cricket the number one sport. With a huge plan for 2026, we need to get back to the basic creation opportunity for our representative.”

“The Coaching and Umpiring Courses had lined up to increase our level of Knowledge.”

Mr. Henry also highlighted challenges faced within his region, including development officers trying to get them back for the 2026 program, but school distances in the regions have shown a greater challenge in reaching the rural communities. 

“This conference helped me to see the pathway and follow to produce national players, but we need to focus on all the regions, even if it is in the rural areas,” he said. 

The 2026 Regional Cricket Managers Conference demonstrates Cricket PNG’s continued commitment to strengthening governance, improving reporting standards, and ensuring strategic alignment from the national office to the most remote cricketing communities.

Cricket PNG continues to prioritize inclusive engagement and practical planning to grow the game throughout the country. 

The outcomes of this conference provide a clear roadmap for structured growth, improved accountability, and enhanced delivery at every level of cricket in the country. 

PC: Supplied