19 June 2025
The Australian Defence Force Women’s Rugby League team joined school students in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, for a morning of learning and ball skills aimed at strengthening international partnerships during the team’s invitational tour to the country.
At the Waigani Christian Academy in Port Moresby, ADF team members shared insights on the importance of education, respect, nutrition and sleep, imparting key life lessons to the students.
Together with representatives of the PNG Rugby League Team Up youth participation program, the team then led a ball skills session designed to enhance player confidence and basic skill development.
During the visit, Waigani Christian Academy Principal Kaupa Abakure said it was a great opportunity for students to hear from Australian military personnel and connect their message to the Papua New Guinean love of sport.
“The students are very excited to meet female role models from the Australian Defence Force, especially rugby league players representing their country in our national sport,” Mr Abakure said.
“The message they gave to our students about the importance of education, respect, nutrition and sleep is essential at this point in their lives as they grow. I am certain the students will remember this experience and what they learnt from the women’s team for many years to come.”
'The impact of our women’s rugby league team as both ambassadors of Defence and as female role models to encourage the next generation of PNG female players cannot be understated.'
The ADF Women’s Rugby League team was in Papua New Guinea as part of an invitational tour to play the PNG Rugby League Women’s XIII on June 15 at Santos National Stadium in Port Moresby.
Reflecting on the experience, team manager Warrant Officer Mark Donlan said women’s participation in sport throughout the South West Pacific region was important.
“Growing female participation in sport across the region is pivotal to improving social outcomes – particularly in countries where sport is central to their daily lives,” Warrant Officer Donlan said.
“The impact of our women’s rugby league team as both ambassadors of Defence and as female role models to encourage the next generation of Papua New Guinean female players cannot be understated.”
After the balls skills session, the team donated a range of sporting equipment to the school to continue fostering the students’ interest and engagement in team sports.
