Last night’s launch of the second season of the Santos Cup — PNG National Women’s Rugby League Competition at the Santos National Football Stadium marks more than a sporting milestone. It is a powerful symbol of changing gender norms, grassroots empowerment, and growing Australia-PNG sporting cooperation in the lead-up to the nation’s 50th Independence Anniversary.
The Santos Cup, now in its second year and supported by Santos, the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL), and the Australian Government through the PacificAus Sports Program partnership with Queensland Rugby League, is creating new pathways for women and girls across PNG to excel in a traditionally male-dominated sport.
By professionalising the women’s game, expanding regional representation from Port Moresby to Goroka and Mt. Hagen, and shining a spotlight on female athletes, the competition is helping to reshape social attitudes toward women’s participation in sport and public life. In a country where patriarchal norms remain entrenched, rugby league’s growing inclusiveness offers a rare platform for female leadership, visibility, and community pride.
The 2025 season, running from August 2 to September 14, will be the biggest yet — culminating in a grand final scheduled to coincide with the men’s Digicel ExxonMobil Cup final and the eve of PNG’s 50th independence. This scheduling underscores the competition’s rising stature and its symbolic significance in national identity.
The six participating teams — including the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis, ENB Agmark Gurias RLFC, Central Dabaris, Lae Snax Tigers, Moni Plus NCDC Port Moresby Vipers, and Wamp NGA Mt Hagen Eagles — represent a broad geographic cross-section of PNG’s rugby heartlands. Their participation reflects not only sporting ambition but also the deepening grassroots demand for greater gender equity and sporting opportunities.
Australia’s continued partnership in this venture aligns with its broader regional strategy of promoting inclusive development and people-to-people links through sport. Sporting collaborations like the Santos Cup enhance bilateral ties while contributing to PNG’s social cohesion and youth engagement — crucial factors for stability in a country with diverse social challenges.
Yet challenges remain. For women’s rugby league to sustain its growth and impact, issues like funding, infrastructure, media coverage, and societal resistance need ongoing attention. The Santos Cup’s success will depend on the continued commitment of sponsors, government agencies, and community stakeholders to foster an environment where women athletes can thrive.
Ultimately, the competition embodies a broader shift in PNG society. It sends a clear message: women belong on the field, in leadership, and at the centre of PNG’s unfolding national story.