Dally, there's nothing wrong with a bit of optimism, in fact, if they could work it, it might be fantastic.



Unfortunately, PNG is one of the world's very poorest nations. Who is going to want to sign for them and live there? If the answer is nobody, how are they going to be competitive with only PNG nationals? The crowds might be big, but what ticket prices are they going to be able to afford and what kind of sponsorship are they going to be getting in comparison to the others? How will this convert to finances?



It sounds like a none starter.

Give PNG a Qld Cup side, and give them time to get a youth system, and a scouting system, they'd be ready in about 10 years from now. 2020 would be a good date.

I was fortunate enough to be able to discuss their bid with one of the people who put it together and from that discussion I am VERY confident they could easily compete in the NRL by the end of the decade. The bid is comprehensive and deals with all of the issues raised by people who write them off. Some of the details are as follows:



Finance:

The PNG government will buy the TV rights from the NRL for the same amount as the NRL currently receives from New Zealand TV and then on-sell it or put it on its national broadcaster. This will mean the club will more than pay its way in the NRL's eyes. Its club grant back to the club, depending on what the club grant is by then, will be LESS than they will receive from PNG.

The club already has a string of sponsors, including Coca-Cola Amatil as major sponsor and Holiday Inn, Airlines PNG, as well as local media, insurance and legal companies and a motor dealership chain. That's before they even get a team.

They will be the highest supported club in the NRL and should fill the stadium for every game.

The cost of running a club there is lower than an Australian club because things like wages and other costs are very low locally. Even local player contracts need not be high because the NRL minimum wage is a relative fortune in PNG.



Logistics:

The government will help build a new stadium on the edge of Port Moresby based loosely on the Gold Coast's 27,500 capacity Skilled Park stadium.

The stadium precinct will feature hotel accommodation in which visiting teams and auxillary people like referees and media people will stay and train during their visit.



On-field:

The club has no real intention of signing players from Australia in any great number. They believe they have the talent in PNG but just lack the development structures to bring them from under 14s and 16s level up to Toyota Cup and NRL level. And NRL structures and money would allow that to happen.

They have reintroduced the game to schools and implemented a talent identification system (as the OP's story suggests) to start the process of developing local talent.

A year or two in the Queensland Cup will aid the process but they don't want to be put in the Q Cup and just left there forever.



In return the government sees the club as the pinnacle of a social and economic policy to improve things like health and education, unite a country that is more culturally and racially diverse than most, give people from PNG opportunities to succeed in sport and bring investment to the country. The government will help fund its plans through mining royalties as that industry continues to grow in the country.



Benefits to the NRL and RL in general:

Millions of dollars per year for TV rights to PNG.

A whole new talent pool which will not dilute the standard of Australian clubs like other new clubs do.

An increased audience in a new market (one that the AFL can't boast).

New sponsors to the game.

A club that can boast a fand base of anywhere up to seven million people in a country where the bulk of the population is under 25 years of age and growing rapidly.

A professional structure to develop PNG players to professional standards which will improve the Kumuls team significantly at Test level.



Benefits to PNG:

A team that unites all the people of the country regardless of racial, cultural or tribal divides.

A catalyst to engage children in school. When RL was reintroduced school attendance went up 50% among boys.

A vehicle for health campaigns, such as the anti-AIDS campaign the Prime Minister's XIII game already promotes.

Economic benefits related to construction, on-going administration, exposure to international audiences etc as well as to the people who directly profit from player and staff wages.



The bid is well thought-out and ensures the club will be viable and sustainable. All it needs is the green light from the NRL so it can really kick-start the process, such as stadium construction and major player development work. If that happens the club should be ready by 2020 or even before.

sure PNG is poor



but is everyone poor there?



RL is the national sport, a nation of 6 - 8 million



the government will back it heavily



i think it would be a massive success



a Qld cup side is the key to determine it ...a good Qld cup side and id give them a spot



and if finances are stil an issue the NRL could advance an extra $1 - $2 million to the club for the good of the game



they have a goldmine of junior talent which we have yet to tap properly

wow great post



didnt know most of that



if the govt will pay for the TV rights like that the NRL would be stupid to say no



basically we get an NRL team for free, expansion paid for the the PNG government

They had a Qld Cup team - Port Morseby Vipers

the funny thing is AFL can put a club in western sydney, a place with little interest for the sport but we cant put a team in a country where we are number 1



if AFL was the national sport in PNG theyd have a team by now



wed be crazy to ignore them

Obviously there will be financial constraints to think about but surely the club could train and live outside of PNG as long as its home games were played there?? How many average fans turn up to training sessions or even know where their clubs training ground is? I know I turn up on a weekend see the lads play then go home, this is surely something that a PNG club could do even if travelling over a day or so before to do a bit of work with kids and the community?

PNG may be poor on the whole, but given RL is the national sport, I'm sure there will be money men who could make this work.



If the living conditions in Port Moresby are as bad as stated, then not only would you need a new stadium, but also secure accomodation for away teams and living accomadation for any players from Aus/NZ/Europe that you'd want to import.



My missus is an accountant and recently spent some time in Bangalore, India with work. India is a place with some awful poverty and she told me stories of kids begging at her car window and the dreadful conditions of some of the parts of town she passed through. Then she told me about the discussion she had with one of the executives at the office about his collection of imported vintage land rovers (over 40 cars).

Quote nick hkr="nick hkr"Obviously there will be financial constraints to think about but surely the club could train and live outside of PNG as long as its home games were played there?? How many average fans turn up to training sessions or even know where their clubs training ground is? I know I turn up on a weekend see the lads play then go home, this is surely something that a PNG club could do even if travelling over a day or so before to do a bit of work with kids and the community?'" good point www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 1116946196 this was looked at by michael searle A joint venture between PNG and northern terrirtory was suggested as well to improve the finances

Quote nick hkr="nick hkr"Obviously there will be financial constraints to think about but surely the club could train and live outside of PNG as long as its home games were played there?? How many average fans turn up to training sessions or even know where their clubs training ground is? I know I turn up on a weekend see the lads play then go home, this is surely something that a PNG club could do even if travelling over a day or so before to do a bit of work with kids and the community?'" good point www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 1116946196 this was looked at by michael searle A joint venture between PNG and northern terrirtory was suggested as well to improve the finances

Great post ECT! Good info, makes me even more confident now too.



I still have concerns about their development and ability to attract imports.



But I guess alot of expats have worked there in the mines etc, so it can be done. It's close proximity to Aus too is also a good thing.



Gold Coast had the Chargers...





I often think the exact same thing. If we continue to ignore them, who knows, maybe AFL will move in....

I just noticed their facebook page too, lets get on board, they're almost on 1000 fans! www.facebook.com/pages/PNG-NRL-B ... 64?sk=wall

I just noticed their facebook page too, lets get on board, they're almost on 1000 fans! www.facebook.com/pages/PNG-NRL-B ... 64?sk=wall