What we're up to /

Cathy Neap represents Pacific Sportswomen at Expo 2020 Dubai

NRL PNG Manager Cathy Neap has attended Expo 2020 Dubai, where she took part in a week of activities hosted by the Australian Government to showcase women in sport, centered around International Women’s Day.

Expo 2020 Dubai is the latest edition of World Expo, a global event that happens every five years with rotating host nations. Expo takes place in a large precinct where countries from around the world present a pavilion showcasing their nation to international visitors. Expo 2020 Dubai was initially scheduled for that year but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is currently running until 31 March 2022.

Cathy joined other sportswomen and sports leaders from Australia and around the world to speak at multiple events about how Australia and its Pacific neighbours are partnering through sport. The week’s events were delivered by Team Up, the Australian Government’s sport for development program in the Asia-Pacific, supported by Australia’s Sports Diplomacy Advisory Council.

A sample of some of the activities that Cathy participated in include:

• Women in Sport Forum showcasing the global impact of women-focused sports initiatives, with Cathy presenting the programs she manages for the NRL in PNG.
• Screening of Power Meri, the PNG Orchids documentary starring Cathy Neap, who was the Orchids’ inaugural captain
• League Bilong Laif activities in the Australian Pavilion for visiting school children
• Sports media workshop, sharing tips about interviewing athletes and career progression in the media
• Sports diplomacy roundtable event, which shared perspectives on people-to-people connections through sport around the world
• Visit to the PNG pavilion

Cathy Neap said, “It has been a long time since we got to meet with our fellow women in sport from other countries because of COVID, so Expo was an amazing chance to do that and to hear from people in other parts of the world about the great work they are doing in women’s sport. There are a lot of opportunities to work together in the future. It was also a huge honour to be one of the keynote speakers at the Women in Sport Forum alongside the Secretary General of FIFA.”

MODIFIED GAMES

The NRL team have been working closely with the PNGRFL to establish a modified games rugby league competition for 5-12 year old boys and girls.  The competitions are currently established in Port Moresby and Lae and will be expanded to more regions in 2022. 

Modified games provides young boys and girls an opportunity to play rugby league in a safe and structured environment during the weekend.  The growth of this program will increase participation numbers and provide a much needed entry level pathway for boys and girls across PNG.

Keep up to date with what team NRL PNG are up to!
Social 
@NRLPNG - Find us on Facebook