Ep. 139 - PNG Chiefs, Women’s Rugby League & The Future of Sport in PNG with Clare

In Episode 139 of The Unkles Podcast, Clare returns to the studio with JMoney and Richie to discuss the PNG Chiefs and what the rise of the team could mean for the future of rugby league and sport in Papua New Guinea.

We discuss the potential for the Chiefs to become a catalyst for change through grassroots development, women’s rugby league, athlete pathways, employment, tourism and the growth of the wider sports industry.

Clare also shares her experience playing in the Santos Cup, her work with Queensland PNG Rugby League, and what she is learning through her studies with the Brisbane Broncos Sport Business Institute and TAFE Queensland.

We also explore visa accessibility, the importance of developing PNG talent in Australia, the role of events such as the Kokomo 9s, and what success could look like for the Chiefs over the next 10 to 20 years.

Ultimately, the conversation asks a bigger question: can the PNG Chiefs become more than just an NRL team and help create long-term opportunities and positive change for Papua New Guinea?