After 14 rounds of intense and physical battle, the stage is now set for the Erave Rugby League (ERL) competition to hold its first-ever Grand Final at the heart of Erave Station on Saturday, October 26th, 2024.
Following a successful league registration payment of K1, 000 and a K12, 000 players registration, including meeting all the requirements, the Erave Rugby League was established and affiliated with the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) earlier this year.
Besides Erave Rugby League, Mendi Rugby League (mother league), Aiya Rugby League and Pangia Rugby League are three other sanctioned competitions in the Southern Highlands Province.
The 28 Local Level Governments (LLGs) within the Erave Central - as far as Semberigi, Polopa, and Sugu Valley - have participated in this inaugural competition to showcase and unearth their hidden talents.
With a 16-team competition (8 teams in each division) composed of both A Grade and B Grade, top 6 were selected in each division to vie for the finals. Four teams from each category have bowed out and four teams have reached the big dance.
The four qualifying teams for the decider in their respective divisions are Ambo Roosters versus Puki Raiders (A Grade) and Kawaso Bulldogs versus Junior T-Rox (B Grade). The four finalists are locked in and look forward to battling for supremacy on the weekend.
Erave Rugby League Director, Emmanuel Eralia initiated and spearheaded the new competition, basically to give an opportunity to the youths to expose their talents and help them stay away from bad habits, as well as creating an avenue for the mothers to sell their garden produce and earn some money to sustain themselves.
Director Eralia expressed his appreciation to the sponsors, the organising committee of ERL led by President Daniel Simon, other hard working people behind the scenes, and the fans for their unwavering support.
“I would like to thank the sponsors and individuals who have supported Erave Rugby League this year. I also thank my executives, the supporters and the participating teams. Without their support, we wouldn’t have made it this far,” Eralia said.
“This is the first-ever league inside the Erave central area. There was no such PNGRFL sanctioned league in the past. As the league director, I started this competition, with the support of my executive and sponsors. I thank everyone for making this dream become a reality.”
Director Eralia said everyone within and around the Erave Sub-District was looking forward to witnessing the first-ever grand finals for the two divisions at the historic Kamare Oval, with more than K16, 000 cash prize up for grabs.
Meanwhile, the cream of the crop will be selected to participate in the Southern Highlands Provincial 9s tournament, while the two grand final winners will also be picked to take part in the Highlands Club Championships.
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