The PNG Chiefs are being built to become more than an NRL team, with CEO Lorna McPherson believing the historic franchise can create opportunities for young people, strengthen sporting governance and deliver lasting change across Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea is preparing for a new chapter in its rugby league history, with the PNG Chiefs set to enter the NRL in 2028 and carry the hopes of a nation passionate about the game.
For McPherson, the challenge is not simply assembling a competitive football team. It is building a professional sporting institution capable of creating opportunities well beyond the football field.
Speaking to RNZ Pacific, the Chiefs chief executive outlined an ambitious vision for a franchise that could become a source of national pride while opening new pathways for players, coaches, administrators and referees.
With significant Australian government backing, including a reported AU$600 million investment over 10 years, the club represents one of the most ambitious sporting projects in the country’s history.
MORE THAN JUST FOOTBALL
Rugby league holds a special place in Papua New Guinea, where the game connects communities across provinces, towns and villages.
The arrival of the Chiefs at the NRL’s highest level is therefore about much more than competing against Australia’s established clubs.
McPherson believes the franchise can introduce professional standards that extend throughout the country’s sporting system.
The club’s ambitions include developing local talent, creating structured development pathways and providing opportunities for young Papua New Guineans to pursue careers in the game.
A proposed Chiefs Foundation is also expected to focus on health, education and youth development, broadening the organisation’s impact beyond elite competition.
One important principle will be ensuring education remains central to the club’s development programmes, with young players expected to continue their schooling as they progress through the pathways system.
The goal is to give young people opportunities to succeed both on and off the field.
BUILDING A STRONGER SPORTING FUTURE
Beyond player development, McPherson sees the Chiefs as an opportunity to strengthen governance and professionalism across Papua New Guinea’s sporting landscape.
She believes that if the franchise establishes strong systems, transparent financial management and effective administration, those standards could provide a model for other sporting organisations throughout the country.
For PNG, the long-term benefits could extend beyond rugby league, helping establish a stronger foundation for the next generation of sporting administrators and leaders.
The challenge will be turning those ambitions into lasting results through consistent management, accountability and investment in local talent.
RECRUITMENT AND THE PNG TALENT PIPELINE
The Chiefs have already begun building their inaugural roster, with high-profile playmaker Jerome Luai among the club’s early recruits.
However, McPherson has stressed that Papua New Guinean players will be central to the team’s identity and long-term plans.
The franchise is also looking to recruit talent from across the Pacific, with the aim of assembling a competitive squad capable of making an immediate impact when the club enters the NRL.
Recruitment opportunities will depend on player availability, contract rules and negotiations with prospective signings.
For PNG supporters, the expectation is clear: the Chiefs must create genuine opportunities for homegrown players to reach the highest level of rugby league.
Developing local talent will be critical to ensuring the franchise remains connected to the communities it represents.
MAKING THE CLUB FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE
The scale of government investment behind the Chiefs has also attracted scrutiny, particularly in relation to the club’s long-term financial future and the incentives being used to attract players to PNG.
McPherson has defended the incentives, arguing that relocating to another country brings significant personal and family considerations for players and their households.
She has also maintained that the club must operate within the NRL’s salary-cap framework.
Ultimately, the franchise will need to establish a sustainable commercial model through sponsorships, partnerships, supporter engagement and effective business management.
Government backing provides an important foundation, but the club’s ability to build strong commercial relationships and manage its operations will help determine whether it can thrive for decades to come.
McPherson remains confident that the project is on the right track, pointing to the response from potential players, coaches and commercial partners.
A LEGACY THAT MUST LAST BEYOND 2028
For Papua New Guinea, the Chiefs represent an opportunity that has been pursued for many years.
The country’s ambition to secure a place in the NRL dates back well over a decade, making the planned 2028 entry a landmark moment for the nation’s rugby league community.
But the real measure of success will extend beyond the franchise’s first season.
The Chiefs will be judged not only by their results on the field, but also by the opportunities they create for Papua New Guineans, the strength of their development programmes and their ability to become a sustainable sporting institution.
McPherson’s vision is for a club that can unite communities, support young people and demonstrate that Papua New Guinea can operate at the highest professional standards.
The challenge now is to turn that vision into reality.
As the countdown to 2028 continues, the PNG Chiefs are preparing for more than an NRL debut. They are preparing to carry the hopes of a nation determined to make its mark on the world stage.
For Papua New Guinea, the biggest victory may ultimately be what the Chiefs build for the generations that follow.
Author: Michael B