: Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:23 pm  

Whoever said 2 million has been borrowing the RFU's calculator. Out of population of under 6 million, take out the ones that obviously don't play, women, young children, over 40s and it means that just about every male between 7 and 40 is playing the game, not true I'm afraid.

It is the most popular sport by far but there other sports here to compete like soccer, AFL, yawnion, cricket and softball for example. There would be around 20,000 - 30,000 registered players plus a lot more playing in organised but unofficial competitions and more still playing friendly ad hoc games. But 2 million? Give this man a job at Twickers!

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:29 pm  

Ken Acker wrote:

Whoever said 2 million has been borrowing the RFU's calculator. Out of population of under 6 million, take out the ones that obviously don't play, women, young children, over 40s and it means that just about every male between 7 and 40 is playing the game, not true I'm afraid.

It is the most popular sport by far but there other sports here to compete like soccer, AFL, yawnion, cricket and softball for example. There would be around 20,000 - 30,000 registered players plus a lot more playing in organised but unofficial competitions and more still playing friendly ad hoc games. But 2 million? Give this man a job at Twickers!

Ignore Stanley Gene at your peril!

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:01 pm  

PNG have to get an nrl team.

its the only nation where its the national sport

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:13 pm  

odemwingie wrote:

yes cause he has done a great job in cricket

It was a joke.

: Fri Feb 20, 2009 2:06 am  

PNG couldn't afford to run a Q'land cup team, where will they get $15mill a season to run a NRL team?

Apart from no stadium, no money, no Australian/Kiwi players who would want to play there, no poeople who could afford $20 a ticket to see a game and no value to the NRL from corproate $ or TV....

it is agreat idea!!

What they do have is lots of talented kids playing RL and the NRL should be looking at how it can offer opportunities for those kids to have a shot at making it in a NRL team.

: Fri Feb 20, 2009 3:29 am  

every NRL team gets $3.5 million from the TV contract.

fans also attend games. when they do they pay for that privelage which goes to the club.

PNG has hundreds of australian companies operating there. indeed north queensland just signed one up as a sponsor after little effort seatching

and the PNG government has committed $20 million to fund a stadium

: Fri Feb 20, 2009 6:11 am  

dally messenger wrote:

PNG has hundreds of australian companies operating there. indeed north queensland just signed one up as a sponsor after little effort seatching

That says more about the attitude of the company in question rather than a broader issue. This company has put a tiny fraction of the amount they have given to the Cowboys into local RL over the years. It has very little interest in PNG even though it makes its money there. Most other Australian companies in PNG have the decency to put their sponsorship and donation money where they earn it. Having said that there are not many large Australian companies in PNG who can put in a decent sized amount anywhere.

dally messenger wrote:

and the PNG government has committed $20 million to fund a stadium

Unfortunately that is a politician's promise, and PNG politicians aren't even honest compared to pollies elsewhere

: Fri Feb 20, 2009 8:25 am  

Ken Acker wrote:

That says more about the attitude of the company in question rather than a broader issue. This company has put a tiny fraction of the amount they have given to the Cowboys into local RL over the years. It has very little interest in PNG even though it makes its money there. Most other Australian companies in PNG have the decency to put their sponsorship and donation money where they earn it. Having said that there are not many large Australian companies in PNG who can put in a decent sized amount anywhere.



Unfortunately that is a politician's promise, and PNG politicians aren't even honest compared to pollies elsewhere

hes the PM champ.

would you rather the promise was made by a homeless man in the street?

the fact the Cowboys were able to secure that sponsor was reported by the Aussie media as evidence that PNG can support an NRL team.

: Fri Feb 20, 2009 8:29 am  

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4755269a1823.html http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... public_rss PNG rugby league president Danny Holmes said an estimated third of PNG's six million population plays league. “We can have more influence than the government, that's how important and big this is,'' he said. “The implications are greater than just having a footy side in the NRL; it gives a big time goal to every kid who puts a boot on. “We've been using league as a way for kids to learn to be part of a team and a community with a common goal, to learn life skills and confidence,'' he said. Holmes admits its not going to be an easy journey to the NRL. “The government has researched and there is corporate interest.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4755269a1823.html http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... public_rss PNG rugby league president Danny Holmes said an estimated third of PNG's six million population plays league. “We can have more influence than the government, that's how important and big this is,'' he said. “The implications are greater than just having a footy side in the NRL; it gives a big time goal to every kid who puts a boot on. “We've been using league as a way for kids to learn to be part of a team and a community with a common goal, to learn life skills and confidence,'' he said. Holmes admits its not going to be an easy journey to the NRL. “The government has researched and there is corporate interest.

: Fri Feb 20, 2009 8:30 am  

http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/18/nr ... s-meninga/ meninga and lamb support the bid

http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/18/nr ... s-meninga/ meninga and lamb support the bid