NRL in PNG Celebrates International Women’s Day

The NRL in PNG, in partnership with the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) and PacificAus Sports, commemorated the 2026 International Women’s Day today (March 6) at Sir John Guise Stadium Indoor Complex.

This has been a tradition for NRL in PNG, together with PNGRFL and PacificAus Sports, to observe International Women’s Day annually, promoting mothers, women, and girls in all walks of life.

The event aimed at celebrating International Women’s Day by empowering young girls through sports, leadership, and positive values-based activities under the theme: “Give to Gain.” 

It encouraged gender equality, generosity, and collaboration, emphasizing the power of reciprocity and support when people, organizations, and communities come together to raise women’s voices.

The purpose of the event was to build confidence in young girls, mentor them on leadership skills, and empower them to understand their rights, especially the right to give and receive respect. 

The event brought together 20 female students each from secondary schools, featuring Waigani Christian College, Tokarara Secondary, Gerehu Secondary, Laloki Secondary, Jubilee Secondary, Redscar High, and Gordon Secondary. 

The students celebrated the IWD, engaged in fun, skill-based games, connected, and built friendships. They enjoyed each other’s company alongside the facilitators of NRL in PNG and the teachers from the respective schools. 

NRL in PNG Manager Cathy Neap stressed the importance of celebrating the IWD: “We’ve gathered here today to celebrate International Women’s Day. In fact, it was scheduled to be held on March 8, but we decided to celebrate it early.

“We invited the girls from these schools, including some of the Orchids and Santos Cup players, to come by and celebrate the IWD with us.

“In line with this year’s theme ‘Give to Gain’, we encouraged and empowered the students - the next generation of girls who will be playing rugby league or any profession they choose to pursue in the future.”  

She added: “As women, we have to stand up and support each other. However, we also need the men’s support. We must advocate for both women’s and women’s issues to live in a balanced society or community.”  

Neap expressed that it was pleasing for the NRL in PNG and her team to not only observe IWD but also participate in the fun games and give pep talks to the high schoolers.

She acknowledged the NRL in PNG, PNGRFL, the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports, school girls, teachers, and the facilitators for celebrating a fun-filled and memorable IWD.

“On behalf of the NRL in PNG, I would like to acknowledge the Australian Government and PacificAus Sports through the Team Up program, who have been very supportive of the event over the years,” Neap said. 

“I would also like to thank the Education Department for allowing programs like this to go in schools and work side-by-side with the teachers to educate the girls, including the boys, in physical fitness and personal development, and instill such messaging.”

Whether through donations, knowledge, resources, infrastructure, visibility, advocacy, education, training, mentoring, or time, this support will contribute to advancing women's issues and help create a more supportive and interconnected world.