THE New Ireland Provincial Government has committed K100,000 to Australian Football League (AFL) Papua New Guinea as a major investment to expand youth development opportunities and strengthen grassroots sport across the province.
Governor Byron Chan announced the funding partnership at the Colts Oval in Port Moresby last week, saying the investment reflects his government’s commitment to creating positive pathways for young people through sport, education, and community engagement.
Under the funding arrangement, K50,000 will be directed towards AFL development programs throughout New Ireland, while the remaining K50,000 will support local competitions, coaching clinics, training sessions, and community sporting events.
Governor Chan said that while Australian Rules Football has long been part of New Ireland’s sporting landscape, the Provincial Government wants to see the game reach even more young people and continue to produce positive outcomes for communities across the province.
“AFL is not a new sport to New Ireland. It has been part of our communities for many years and has produced talented players and passionate supporters.
“What we are doing today is reaffirming our commitment to the next generation by investing in a program that is already making a real difference in the lives of our young people,” Governor Chan said.
The governor said sport has become one of the most effective tools for developing confident, disciplined, and responsible young people.
“When our young people participate in organised sport, they learn much more than how to play a game. They learn discipline, teamwork, leadership, respect and resilience; qualities that prepare them for life beyond the sporting field.”
He said the investment also reflects the growing relationship between Papua New Guinea and Australia, where sport continues to play an increasingly important role alongside cooperation in defence, education, labour mobility, and economic development.
“Papua New Guinea and Australia continue to strengthen their partnership in many areas, and sport is becoming another important avenue for creating opportunities for our people. By supporting AFL development, we are ensuring our young people are well positioned to benefit from these growing connections.”
AFL PNG Chairman Ekonia Peni welcomed the Provincial Government’s commitment, describing it as a strong endorsement of the role sport plays in building stronger communities and shaping future leaders.
Peni said AFL PNG’s development programs have already achieved significant success in New Ireland.
“More than 2,000 children across the province have participated in the AFL PNG Smart Start Niukick and Youth Academy programs, providing them with structured sporting activities while promoting healthy lifestyles, teamwork and personal development.”
The Chairman said approximately 100 young people are currently progressing through AFL PNG’s academy pathway in New Ireland, while 20 accredited academy players continue to receive advanced coaching and compete through AFL PNG’s elite development programs.
“These numbers demonstrate that AFL has become much more than a sport in New Ireland. It is helping young people build confidence, develop life skills, and pursue opportunities that extend beyond the football field,” the Chairman said.
He said the Provincial Government’s investment would enable AFL PNG to expand its programs into more schools and communities while strengthening existing development pathways for aspiring players.
The AFL PNG Chairman also encouraged other provincial governments throughout Papua New Guinea to consider similar partnerships.
“We hope New Ireland’s leadership inspires other provinces to see sport as an important development tool. When governments support grassroots programs, they are investing in healthier communities and a brighter future for their young people.”
Meanwhile, the New Ireland Governor says the AFL PNG partnership complements the Provincial Government’s broader development agenda, which places young people at the centre of New Ireland’s future.
“Whether it is through education, business, skills training or sport, our responsibility is to give our young people every opportunity to succeed.
” We are investing in their future because they are the future of New Ireland,” Governor Chan said.
The partnership is expected to expand AFL development activities across the province, increase youth participation, strengthen community engagement, and provide more
opportunities for talented young New Irelanders to progress through AFL PNG’s development pathway.