Yep… Full contact, no holds barred, woman against woman !!
And Eli’s into it!!
(Eli takes her Rugby Union very seriously!)
Rugby League is huge in PNG – I mean huge! (bigger than Ben Hur style huge). Rugby Union on the other hand is not as prominent as League and has far less teams in the local comps – nonetheless, the fervour and dedication given to the game by it’s followers is on par with it’s sister code. Especially when it comes to the women!!
Eli has joined a local women’s team and has been regularly attending four training sessions a week at the nearby National Institute of Sport (NSI).
(Eli: far left – middle row)
In about a month the team will head down to UNITECH in Lae for a tournament and then later in the year (pending the fund raising) the girls are aiming to make it to Port Moresby for the national titles.
Many an afternoon or weekend you will find me down at NSI watching the gals throwing a ball, going through the moves or playing a match and I can definitely vouch how their game has improved in leaps and bounds (not that I know a great deal about the game!).
(The girls leaving the field after a hard match last weekend)
As far as I’m aware the team goes by the name of “Eastern Highlands Women’s Rugby Union Club”. Just click here to check out all the photos that I have snapped to date of the girls in action.
Go the gals!!!
NB: To watch Highlanders play play rugby is an absolute joy! They (men and women) are born to the game and are naturals. An Australian friend recently left PNG after living and working in Goroka for six months and never got to watch one Goroka Lahanis match and I felt sorry for the dude. If you live and work in PNG and have not yet had a chance to get along to a match, I strongly suggest that you do!
In Divine Word University we have two female teams, and within Madang Province there are also two female teams, and the competitions are being held within Divine Word University Campus. The competitions first began in August, right now the President for the womens rugby union is selecting a side to represent Madang Province to partake in the Rookies 7s in Port Moresby. Just a little info that Madang too has a womens rugby union teams.
Hi J@vi,
Thanks for your comment re the Madang’s Women’s Rugby Union Club.
Cheers,
Robert
NB: Will pass on your message to the Women’s team here in Goroka.
Hey,
it would be nice if the rugby union girls at DWU come and play
with the Unitech girls…The Unitech rugby union girls are at top form.
The Unitech team have some of the best talented players..
Cheers
hanua just….neneve
Hi woman sports is great! At least our woman folk are equal in opportunity to man and not only in the chicken. You ladies do your best there. Promote talents and find your art. Now that even leaders are talking about legalizing prostitution, show them that there is no room. At least our womenfolk will find venture in all aspects of life.
GBU all
I am impressed with the Women’s Rugby Union Competitions in the playing centres of Goroka, Madang, Lae and Port Moresby. I believe that it will develop to become a vibrant competition in the future. Message to those involved; remember, what you all are doing will set precedence in the future of the game in PNG. However, don’t expect too much right now. Just know that you are true pioneers of the women’s version of the code.
Tru Ave
Goroka