𝗟𝗮𝗶 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗥𝘂𝗴𝗯𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 Officially 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗣𝗡𝗚RFL

From Left-Right: Deputy Chairman Jack Epi Wari, Chairman Alvin Gia, & Technical Director Emmanuel Tol.

The Lai Valley Rugby Football League (Lai Valley RFL) in the Mendi-Munihu District of Southern Highlands Province has officially been registered with the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL), marking a historic first for Lai Valley.

To celebrate the league’s registration, the hardworking Lai Valley Rugby Football League Committee and the Lai Valley community in Port Moresby gathered at Adventure Park, 14 Mile, for a barbecue event yesterday (March 16th, 2025).

This gathering marked the conclusion of the Port Moresby-based efforts that led to the league’s successful registration with PNGRFL.

Speaking at the event, Lai Valley RFL Chairman Alvin Gia expressed his gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this dream a reality.

"On behalf of the inaugural Lai Valley League Committee and the people of Lai Valley, I sincerely thank everyone for their support in making this possible," said Mr. Gia.

"A special thank you to the Vice Minister for State Owned Enterprises and Member for Mendi-Munihu, Hon. Raphael Tonpi, for supporting the league with K50,000. This generous contribution has greatly helped us get off the ground."

This achievement paves the way for a fully sanctioned rugby league competition in the Lai Valley, bringing structured and professional rugby league to the community for the first time, according to Lai Valley RFL Technical Director Emmanuel Tol.

"To kickstart our inaugural season, we will host the Lai Valley 9s Tournament in April at Munihu Station," Tol announced.

"This tournament will serve as a launching pad for the 2025 Lai Valley Rugby League season, which will feature six teams from the Lai Valley competing in the A-Grade Division.

"We also plan to introduce the Under-20 Men’s, Women’s, and School Boys' divisions in the following year, ensuring a broader and more inclusive competition in the near future."

A key priority for Lai Valley RFL is the development of match officials. The league has partnered with PNGRFL's technical teams to train the referees and officials, ensuring the highest standards of the game are upheld.

Ahead of the season launch, dedicated volunteers are already on the ground in Lai Valley, conducting awareness campaigns and mobilizing the community to support the competition.

"We have already mobilized the youths to carry out awareness in Lai Valley for our first-ever organized sporting event in Lai Valley," said the Lai Valley Rugby Football League Deputy Chairman Jack Epi Wari.

"All the leaders of Lai Valley have come together to make this possible, so going forward, we will all stand together and support this to help bring about changes in the community."

Chairman Alvin Gia emphasized that this league would bring positive changes to the community, giving restless youths and young people a purpose in life. It will also stimulate economic activities that will benefit Lai Valley.

𝑨𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝑩𝒚:

𝗜𝗻𝗮𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲

𝗟𝗮𝗶 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗥𝗙𝗟