NCD School Rugby League concludes 2025 season successfully

The National Capital District (NCD) School Rugby League competition hosted its 2025 Grand Final matches for its boys and girls divisions on Sunday, July 27th, at the Sir John Guise Stadium. 

After 14 weeks of fierce battle between the primary and secondary schools in NCD, five grand finals for different divisions were staged - U15 Boys, U16 Girls, U17 Boys, U18 Girls, and U19 Boys. 

The NCD School Rugby League, in collaboration with the NCDC Moni Plus Port Moresby Vipers Academy, will scout the best players from this competition into the PNG NRL Bid Academy. 

The school competition has grown from strength to strength over the years, continuing to supply talented players to the Vipers academy and other clubs competing in the Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup.

NCD School Rugby League President Arnold Gende was happy with the outcome of the competition, highlighting that the 2025 season has been a success and anticipating a much better season in 2026. 

“In a short time, we have gained momentum in the NCD School Rugby League, especially the ball skills and tackling skills they have displayed on the field reached another level from last year,” Mr. Gende said.

“We are looking for bigger improvement next year by running coaching clinics for our teachers and equipping them with the rules of the game. Once the teachers are accredited, we will see improvement in the competition.”

Mr. Gende also thanked the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL), led by CEO Stanley Hondina, for their consistent support, including the National Capital District Commission and other sponsors.

The president expected the competition to reach greater heights next season as they aspire to develop and nurture more raw talent into the Vipers Academy and PNG NRL Bid Academy in preparation towards 2028 when PNG enters the NRL. 

Hereunder are the results of the five grand finals played on the weekend:

• U15 Boys - Iobuna Kouba Primary School edged Gerehu Primary School 14-12

• U16 Girls - Pari Primary School beat Morata Primary School 4-0

• U17 Boys - New Erima Junior High School defeated Evedahana Junior High School 10-4

• U18 Girls - Jubilee Secondary School beat Laloki Secondary 10-6

• U19 Boys - Gerehu Secondary School defeated Tokarara Secondary School 10-5