Santos PNG Orchids Team for Pacific Championships

Santos PNG Orchids Team For Pacific Championships

The Papua New Guinea Rugby League (PNGRFL) CEO, Mr. Stanley Hondina together with the newly appointed Chairlady for the Santos PNG Orchids, Celestine Ove, in a press release, announced the 21-person squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships this October – November 2023. Papua New Guinea will participate with the PNG LNG Kumuls and the Santos PNG Orchids, playing matches in Port Moresby. 
The teams under Head Coaches Justin Holbrook of the PNG LNG Kumuls and Ben Jeffries of the Santos PNG Orchids, are set to field the best available athletes in the sport, competing at the highest possible level and also exposing talent having come through the existing PNGRFL pathways. 
Mr. Hondina shared, “With the excitement from the Prime Minister’s XIII and finally having international exhibition and test matches now returning to PNG, we are seeing the different levels of the pathway for our game highlight the ability of our pool of players from the various national championships and now the mentioned matches.”

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“Our Coaches have been entrusted to engage and take our teams to where they need to be for these matches and I take this time to thank them for their leadership and wish them the best as they prepare for their upcoming matches,” Hondina added.
The Santos PNG Orchids squad will feature 12 Orchids who have earnt their numbers in the recent 2022 Rugby League World Cup and previous test matches, whilst 6 have come from the PNGRFL National Women’s Championships which includes two promising talents from the Junior Orchids, Meli Joe and Yolanda Taute, after their performances during their Prime Minister’s XIII weekend match against the Australian School Girls side last month. The Ben Jeffries coached side will go up against the Cook Island Moana 12:30pm, Sunday 22nd October, Santos National Football Stadium.
Newly appointed Chairlady of the Santos PNG Orchids and PNG Communications Manager of naming rights sponsor Santos, Ms. Celestine Ove, said, “The journey of the Santos PNG Orchids, has been one that continues to see the advancement of women in the sport and this squad highlights and celebrates the progress of our women and girls. Seeing our NRLW and Australian based players combined with the strong upcoming domestic talent and Juniors, is an indication of the evolution of the women’s game and I am proud to be able to share this squad, who will represent PNG come 22nd October.”
SANTOS PNG ORCHIDS
Almah Johnson, Belinda Gwasumun, Bertshiba Awoi, Elsie Albert, Emily Veivers,  Essay Banu, Freda Waula, Gloria Kaupa, Jessikah Reeves, Lancy Ulkambane, La-Toniya Norris-Addo, Leila Kerowa,  Lyiannah Allen, Meli Joe, Roswita Kapo, Sareka Mooka, Sera Koroi, Shellie Long, Sillah Rumints, Ua Ravu, Yolanda Taute.

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• ​​2023 Pacific Championships Schedule