the funny thing is AFL can put a club in western sydney, a place with little interest for the sport but we cant put a team in a country where we are number 1

if AFL was the national sport in PNG theyd have a team by now

wed be crazy to ignore them

Obviously there will be financial constraints to think about but surely the club could train and live outside of PNG as long as its home games were played there?? How many average fans turn up to training sessions or even know where their clubs training ground is? I know I turn up on a weekend see the lads play then go home, this is surely something that a PNG club could do even if travelling over a day or so before to do a bit of work with kids and the community?

PNG may be poor on the whole, but given RL is the national sport, I'm sure there will be money men who could make this work.

If the living conditions in Port Moresby are as bad as stated, then not only would you need a new stadium, but also secure accomodation for away teams and living accomadation for any players from Aus/NZ/Europe that you'd want to import.

My missus is an accountant and recently spent some time in Bangalore, India with work. India is a place with some awful poverty and she told me stories of kids begging at her car window and the dreadful conditions of some of the parts of town she passed through. Then she told me about the discussion she had with one of the executives at the office about his collection of imported vintage land rovers (over 40 cars).

Quote: nick hkr "Obviously there will be financial constraints to think about but surely the club could train and live outside of PNG as long as its home games were played there?? How many average fans turn up to training sessions or even know where their clubs training ground is? I know I turn up on a weekend see the lads play then go home, this is surely something that a PNG club could do even if travelling over a day or so before to do a bit of work with kids and the community?'" good point www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 1116946196 this was looked at by michael searle A joint venture between PNG and northern terrirtory was suggested as well to improve the finances

Quote: nick hkr "Obviously there will be financial constraints to think about but surely the club could train and live outside of PNG as long as its home games were played there?? How many average fans turn up to training sessions or even know where their clubs training ground is? I know I turn up on a weekend see the lads play then go home, this is surely something that a PNG club could do even if travelling over a day or so before to do a bit of work with kids and the community?'" good point www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 1116946196 this was looked at by michael searle A joint venture between PNG and northern terrirtory was suggested as well to improve the finances

Great post ECT! Good info, makes me even more confident now too.

I still have concerns about their development and ability to attract imports.

But I guess alot of expats have worked there in the mines etc, so it can be done. It's close proximity to Aus too is also a good thing.

Gold Coast had the Chargers...


I often think the exact same thing. If we continue to ignore them, who knows, maybe AFL will move in....

I just noticed their facebook page too, lets get on board, they're almost on 1000 fans! www.facebook.com/pages/PNG-NRL-B ... 64?sk=wall

I just noticed their facebook page too, lets get on board, they're almost on 1000 fans! www.facebook.com/pages/PNG-NRL-B ... 64?sk=wall

PNG survives on aid and some Mining Royalties.
If the PNG Government which is virtually insolvent was to spend aid money sponsoring an NRL team I suspect the Kiwi and Oz taxpayer may be slightly upset, its for education and basic needs.

Advertising revenue in a country that has no money and few TV's does not make a commercial viability. Who is going to buy the advertised products even if they had distribution in PNG?

Ticket sales at home would have to be lower than $5.00 for the locals to afford it. The locals average about $50 a week income.

The distances involved in the NRL are tough enough already without adding PNG.

PNG is virtually the toughest place on earth to visit unless you are connected with some local residents, the Anglos all carry conceal side-arms and the Hotels are behind armed compounds.

The "National sport" item keeps getting thrown up, so what? what are the competing sports? answer not many.
Not that long ago Headhunting was the number one hobby.

Bangalore isn't remotely comparable with PNG, though. I've never felt at all threatened walking around Bangalore at night, in spite of the poverty & begging. The IPL is second only to the NBA in terms of player wages and there's several Indian Billionaires (which I guess is your point.)

In Port Moresby, you literally have armed guards at the hotel perimeter. That said, if the security & travel issues can be resolved, I think the bid is a goer. You only have to look at the money Asian car & mobile phone companies are investing in PNG to realise that it can be a commercial success.

Any investment is nickel and dime compared to modern countries.
PNG is like Africa was 100 years ago.

Why do I say this?
My company has PNG as part of our Territory, we have never sent anyone there and can see no commercial viability in the Country when comparing the risks involved.
We are in the Transport game.
The fact there are hardly any real roads is a factor.

Lol

Really all that post deserves

yes well wait till AFL puts a team there for some of the silly people on this thread to realize how important PNG is

yeh lets ignore a nation of 7 - 8 mill whose national sport is rugby league when we expand

Once upon a time I thought you were informed but a bit silly and carried on with rubbish.
Now I realize I was wrong.
You are a Mong with no idea.
If PNG get a team in the NRL in the next 20 years it will be a miracle.

Have you ever been there, I have.

They can barely hold the Prime Ministers selection team there each year due to Crowd violence.

It is the worst place you would want to be, but you think its all good?

i would have to agree. in principle im all for it, im sure many of us get a bit trearful thinking about the glories of sport uniting a poor and troubled nation under one banner. i think we could all agree that in financial terms PNG could support a full time Pro team, the crowd potential and sponsorship potential is definately there, as others have pointed out. however, as dalto says, no first worlder from Aus, Nz or Europe is going to move there. PNG could well be ready very soon to sustain some form of pro team, with big crowds, in RL terms at least the infrastructure and desire is or soon will be there. so in this sense PNG is/soon will be ready for something. but ready for an NRL team? i doubt it. the people may want it, but sadly the country as a whole just isnt up to it, it will be a long time after the 2020 round of franchises before Living standards in PNG are of a standard to attract any halfway decent players, coaches or fitness/conditioning staff from around the world, which is expertise and skill they will need.
as much as i would love for it to happen, i just cant see it.

Many ex-pat Australians and others from western countries live there. Including the bid boss who is former Brisbane Bronco Brad Tassell.

of that i have no doubt. but how many of them actually leave there houses at night? their houses that im willing to bet have high walls, razor wire and armed guards.