By GABRIEL KATUHO
Lorna McPherson is grateful for being appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PNG Chiefs NRL franchise.
With wide experience and knowledge of rugby league in Papua New Guinea, McPherson key task is to ensure new franchise is fully functional for its entry into the 2028 NRL competition.
“I will be making sure that we appoint a very strong team and right across the board that’s from the director of the football to the coach and to the rest of the team as well. I’m so humbled and proud that I’ve been appointed the CEO. It has been an amazing journey over the last 16 years, first coming to Papua New Guinea in January 2010,” she said in an interview yesterday.
“I want to create the most fantastic team that reflects the culture and pride of Papua New Guinea. I am proud to have been accepted here as a Papua New Guinean. I want to make sure that the team reflects who we are as people, and most importantly I want to make sure that we have a winning team. So it’s about getting the right people and the right players.
“Don’t ask me about the players and I would highlight the fact that we will not have players until 2027, the board have already said that.”
McPherson has one month to complete her current job with Digicel PNG before assuming her new role.
She thanked PNGNRLC and PNGRFL for working tirelessly behind the scenes to see rugby league grow in PNG and pledged to work collaboratively with them for the good of the franchise and the future of rugby league in the country.
She said the previous years was awesome with much achievements in terms of support through programs initiated through PNGRFL and other partners.
“I’m so proud to represent Papua New Guinea and doing this job and thank you everyone for believing in me as well,” she said.
McPherson said after she assumes office in February, she would ensure positions within the franchise were advertised.
“The whole thing is that Papua New Guineans get employed and have fantastic jobs and are part of this journey. Be part of this journey of creating a legacy. Remember the PNG Chiefs is a legacy for us.”
She added that PNG Chiefs would eventually have a women’s team in the National Rugby League Women’s (NRLW) competition.