The ADF Women's Rugby League team has strengthened the bonds with Australia's nearest neighbour through a common love of sport, concluding a five-day invitational tour to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG).
The visiting side was pitted against the PNGRFL Women's XIII, a development team aimed at nurturing player talent in the women's game across PNG.
The tour was supported by the Defence Pacific Sport Program, which focuses on sharing sporting expertise in the fields of training, elite athlete performance and management, coaching and officiating with Pacific partners.
As PNG prepares to mark its 50th anniversary of independence, the tour celebrates bonds between PNG and Australia and demonstrates the shared commitment to promote women in sports.
It also prepares a PNG women's team to enter one of Australia's premier state competitions by no later than 2028, and cultivates elite level pathways for rugby league in PNG.
ADF team manager Warrant Officer Mark Donlan said the tour had a beneficial impact on the players and the local community.
"The historic nature of two elite national-level women's teams playing in Port Moresby sends a powerful message to the next generation of female athletes and sports fans across PNG," Warrant Officer Donlan said.
"As the sport continues to expand in PNG, engagement opportunities like this are essential to ensure closer cooperation between our nations and enhanced visibility of women's participation in sport."
'It was an honour to stand alongside our Pacific neighbours on the field and represent our countries as role models for the next generation of female athletes.'
ADF team captain Air Force Corporal Lowana McDougall said the tour reinforced the common values shared by Australia and PNG.
"Sport reminds us of the importance of teamwork, respect and fair play - key values in any partnership," Corporal McDougall said.
"It was an honour to stand alongside our Pacific neighbours on the field and represent our countries as role models for the next generation of female athletes."
The match, played in hot and humid conditions, resulted in a dominant performance from the home side, with the PNGRFL Women's XIII claiming victory 48-6.
In addition to the invitational match and preparation training sessions, the ADF team visited local students at the Waigani Christian Academy and paid respects to fallen Australians and Papua New Guineans at the Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby.
As part of the invitational tour, six serving Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) personnel joined the ADF team in a symbol of deepened regional partnership and defence cooperation.
Lieutenant Nikita Oresi from the PNGDF said the tour and joining the ADF side was significant.
"Becoming a fully integrated member of the ADF team with five other PNGDF personnel was an incredible experience," Lieutenant Oresi said.
"We trained as one team, stayed with the Australian players while in Port Moresby and joined them for the community engagement activities throughout the tour.
"I welcome future partnership activities between our nations, both on the sporting field and more broadly across a range of different opportunities."
