MEDIA RELEASE
7 September 2006
PNG DEFENCE FORCE TEAM COMPETES IN FIRST EVER PACIFIC MILITARY RUGBY TOURNAMENT
The Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) rugby union team was given a rousing farewell today before heading off to compete in the first ever Pacific Nations Military Rugby Cup Tournament in Australia.
PNGDF Commander, Commodore Peter Ilau, DMS, CBE, presented touring shirts to the 25-man squad during a farewell ceremony at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby.
The tournament, which will take place in Canberra from 12-16 September, includes teams from the defence forces of PNG, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and New Caledonia (French Armed Forces).
The competition aims to foster good will, healthy competition and greater understanding between the defence forces of the Pacific through Rugby Union.
Commodore Ilau said: “I look forward to the opportunity for our players to show that they are up there with the best in the Pacific and to build on our regional relationships, which have benefited so greatly from the PNGDF’s successful contribution to the RAMSI operation in Solomon Islands”.
Australian Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston AO, AFC, who will host the competition, said: “I have no doubt that the tournament will provide an excellent opportunity to further enhance the relationship between our Defence Forces through the great game of Rugby”.
The PNGDF team includes 22 players, selected from units across the country, as well as three support staff. The final team selection was made in Port Moresby last month and the team won its last training match on 29 August against a combined Premier Division/A-Grade side from Port Moresby’s Defence Club.
The PNGDF’s participation is sponsored by the Australian Government under the PNG-Australia Defence Cooperation Program (DCP). One of the aims of the DCP is to boost morale within the PNGDF by creating a positive profile of the force.
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