VIPERS ESTABLISHES GROUND-BREAKING PARTNERSHIP WITH HULL KINGSTON ROVERS RUGBY LEAGUE CLUB OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
The Port Moresby MoniPlus NCDC Vipers have sealed a historic partnership with the Hull Kingston Rovers Rugby League Club of the United Kingdom, paving the way for a transformative development opportunity for junior players.
This pioneering collaboration offers Vipers’ young talents a unique pathway to compete in the prestigious Super League while receiving a comprehensive education at the renowned Robins’ Academy in England.
Under this unprecedented agreement, two junior players annually, starting this year, will have the opportunity to join the Robin’s Academy, compete for the U18s side, and aspire to advance to the club’s First Grade Team.
Marking the first direct development pathway of its kind with a Papua New Guinean domestic team, Hull KR is poised to scout talent from the Port Moresby Vipers, integrating selected players into its junior set-up for the upcoming 2024 Academy season.
With a distinguished history, including National Cup victories in 1990, 1992, 1994, and 2013, the Vipers have firmly established themselves as a dominant force nationally and as the premier club in Port Moresby, the capital city of Papua New Guinea.
“This partnership holds immense significance for both Hull KR and Papua New Guinea’s domestic rugby league landscape, culminating from months of strategic planning,” stated Paul Lakin, Chief Executive of Hull KR, during the partnership announcement last week.
Acknowledging Papua New Guinea’s unique passion for rugby league, Lakin emphasized the club's commitment to nurturing this alliance, ensuring its optimal success through dedicated attention and resources.
“This collaboration is not only exciting and innovative but also brimming with enormous potential,” he added.
Hon. Powes Parkop, Patron of the Vipers Club and Port Moresby City Governor, expressed his enthusiasm for this ground-breaking junior rugby league development program, lauding it as a pioneering initiative with vast opportunities for local aspiring athletes.
Parkop hailed the partnership between Hull KR and Port Moresby Vipers as a historic milestone in sports, underscoring its potential to cultivate and showcase young Papua New Guinean talent on the global stage.
Describing it as a transformative opportunity, Parkop emphasized that participating players would not only excel in rugby league but also pursue their education in the United Kingdom, enhancing their prospects for a brighter future.
This initiative aligns with Governor Parkop’s commitment to supporting youth development programs, with the Port Moresby Vipers franchise fully funded by the National Capital District Commission as part of its comprehensive sports initiatives in the city.
City Manager Ravu Frank, echoed Governor Parkop’s sentiments, affirming NCDC’s unwavering support for the Port Moresby Vipers as the city’s premier franchise.
Mr. Frank commended Governor Parkop’s visionary leadership in sports, which has resulted in a significant breakthrough, enabling the export of young rugby league talent overseas, representing a worthy investment in the nation’s sporting future.