Rugby League in the Pacific

The Australian Government has announced a total of $600 million in funding over ten years for Rugby League in the Pacific (the program). A total of $480 million over ten years will be available through this grant program. The program will run over ten years from 2024-25 to 31 December 2034. It will support the entry of a men’s Papua New Guinea (PNG) team into the National Rugby League (NRL) competition no later than 2028. It will also support women’s PNG team to compete in either the Queensland Women’s Premiership or the New South Wales Women’s Premiership and, subject to an assessment of its readiness, in the NRLW Premiership. There are three grant opportunities: NRL licence; PNG NRL Franchise; and Pacific Rugby League Strategy.