Papua New Guinea are reportedly set to become the NRL’s 19th franchise, with an in-principle agreement being brokered between the ARLC and the federal government.
That is according to The Daily Telegraph, who are reporting prime minister Anthony Albanese is backing a 10-year, $600 million funding plan to bring PNG into the NRL.
PNG are set to enter the first grade competition in 2028, following the Western Bears’ introduction only 12 months earlier as the 18th franchise.
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The ARLC are reportedly pleased with the government’s funding, which will see the PNG outfit be backed by he Australian government until 2037.
The Pacific NRL side will reportedly be announced after the grand final, with a celebration to take place during Australian PM XIII’s clash with PNG in Port Moresby.
PNG won’t be the only team to receive funding, with a $60 million license fee to be shared across the 17 clubs in the competition ahead of their entry.
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Every franchise will reportedly pocked around $3.5 million, and Peter V’landys is reportedly currently visiting each club to explain his plans for expansion in the coming years.
That leaves $540 million, which will reportedly be allocated to setting up and keeping the PNG franchise afloat as it begins like in the NRL.
$290 million will be spent on football operations, while the remaining $250 million will reportedly be spent on education and social welfare in the Pacific nation.
Port Moresby will be the headquarters of the new franchise, with a ‘mini-city’ built for rugby league purposes to be built to house the players and their families.
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“This is a game changer for our relationship with Papua New Guinea,” Albanese said to News Corp.
“The aim would be for any government funding to be aimed at economic development in schools. It’s not just for the NRL team and to pay Alex Johnston to play for PNG.
“We’re definitely behind the NRL bid and, importantly, Prime Minister (James) Marape in PNG is very much behind an NRL team.
“To have a PNG NRL team, we would need to get the pathway and infrastructure right. It’s an important part of economic development and getting young people engaged in PNG.
“This is not just about sport in itself, it’s building people-to-people relations and economic development for PNG, that’s the way the government sees it.”
The NRL will also reportedly sit down with the PNG government, with potential tax incentives to be put in place to entice players to make the move.
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