DARU Rugby League’s development pathway is now in plan for the 2025 season following its official affiliation with the PNG Rugby Football League Inc.

Western Province Pathway & Development officer Tony Waliya said this following the formal announcement of the inaugural Sisa Kimia 9s tournament set for Daru next month.

“Our main motivation, getting together and affiliating with Daru RL is because of the talent we seen back at home. If PNG Kumul great Sisa Kimia can make it from out from Daru Island to represent PNG, we can work closely to bring that spirit back.”

Waliya said Daru RL’s inclusion to bring back the code’s interest through the youths is an added bonus, as they seek to introduce the pathway program in line with the PNG NRL Bid Programme currently running in Port Moresby and other outside centers.

“There’s a pathway and development plan for our province and Daru taking its lead after a decade, PNGRFL is more advanced at the moment having lots of development Programme and plans that in place for affiliated leagues around the country.”

“For Daru to come on board after so many years, it represents the whole of Western reviving its interest of Rugby League since the yesteryears.”

“Rugby League is for our grassroots too, let’s bring the game back to the rural areas where it is needed the most and work to promote.”

“Importantly let’s change the attitude and the morale and the values of people in Daru Town to make them be better people,” he added.

Meanwhile he said, they will confirm their dates when the development program is set to be introduced in Daru, preferably after the 13s competition kicks off on the island within the 2025 season.