It’s the moment like few others in Australian sport as darkness descends on AAMI Park for a spine-tingling memorial service for war veterans before the Melbourne Storm's annual ANZAC Day clash. Cameron Munster has played in grand finals, State of Origin and Test matches but nothing compares to the emotions he experiences before the traditional game. "For me it's one of those moments you can't forget," Munster told NRL.com. "The stadium's blacked out and the lights are sitting on you. Everyone's watching you, we can't see them but they can see us. "Once they light the stadium up, you see the crowd roaring and it brings chills down your back." ANZAC Day services have become a common occurrence in Australian sport, with multiple football codes commemorating our veterans prior to games on April 25 and the days surrounding. Melbourne’s ceremony, however, is different. The night-time kick-off allows the Storm to add another layer of emotion to the experience, with the lights switched off at AAMI Park before a spotlight is placed on those involved. Images are also projected on to the field and the stands, with the eery silence of a full stadium adding to the atmosphere. The Storm have been hosting an ANZAC Day game since 2009 but it wasn’t until 2016 when they introduced the ceremony in its current form. Ryan Hoffman was captaining the Warriors at the time and said it was an experience like no other. "We had no idea it was happening," he told NRL.com. "I remember walking out and seeing how dark it was. After the ceremony in the Warriors huddle we looked at each other and just said it was amazing. "It's a special day for Australia and New Zealand. The way Melbourne does it with the black out and the silence, the silence is the most deafening thing. It's always a packed house, to have that many people in silence and the respect showed with the spotlight on the soldiers, it's absolutely brilliant." The Melbourne ANZAC Day clash will look a little different this year, with their traditional foe, the Warriors, granted their long-held wish of hosting a game on the special day. Instead, it will be the South Sydney Rabbitohs who travel south to take on the Storm in a match that will carry plenty of added meaning on and off the field. The teams may be different, but the emotions will remain for a service like no other in Australian sport. "We're fortunate to be able to play on such a great day," Munster said. "We have our freedom because of the people before us. It's a hard day, they went to war, we can never replicate what they went through. "The least we can do is do the things they did when they went to war. That's spirit, courage, hard work and working for each other. That's all we can do as teammates, work hard for each other. "If we can do that, we can do the ANZACs proud and we've been doing that every year. It's no different on Thursday." Source: NRL. Com

Vodafone PNG, a leading telecommunications provider, officially announced its sponsorship support of Team PNG for the upcoming Olympic Games in July. This partnership highlights Vodafone’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and the support of athletic prowess on the global stage. Through this sponsorship, Vodafone will provide the PNG Olympic Team with cutting-edge telecommunication services, ensuring that athletes and officials stay connected with their families, fans, and support systems as they prepare for and compete in the world’s foremost sports competition. Vodafone PNG CEO Pradeep Lal said, “Vodafone is thrilled to support our national athletes as they aim for gold at the upcoming Olympic Games”. “This partnership reflects our dedication not just to excellence in telecommunications but also to fostering a spirit of national pride and achievement.” “We are committed to providing the team with the best possible platform to succeed.” The sponsorship includes financial support, the provision of top-of-the-line mobile devices and connectivity solutions for the PNG Olympic Committee (PNGOC) and Team PNG over a three-year period. Moreover, Vodafone will launch a series of promotional campaigns, giving fans unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the athlete’s preparation journeys, including exclusive content, interviews, and interactive sessions via Vodafone’s digital platforms. “This partnership with Vodafone is a game-changer for us,” said Desmond Kaviagu, Secretary General to the PNGOC. “Knowing we have the support of one of the nation’s leading companies, both in spirit and through cutting-edge technology, gives us incredible confidence as we prepare to compete on the world stage.” Vodafone invites all PNG citizens to join us in supporting the national team as they prepare for an historic performance at the 2024 Olympic Games.

The Roosters have confirmed that Kiwi international Joseph Manu will depart the club at the end of the 2024 season. The 27-year-old, who has played 164 first-grade games to date with the Tricolours, will take up an offer with Japanese rugby club Toyota Verblitz at season's end. The 2022 Golden Boot winner said he had cherished his time with the Roosters, having come through the club's pathways program, and that it was an incredibly difficult decision to leave the club. "I will always be grateful to wear the Roosters jersey and to everyone who has supported me and provided me with some incredible opportunities. While I’m excited to embrace the challenge of playing rugby in Japan, right now I am focused on finishing this year strongly and performing at my very best," he said.

Air Niugini will effectively suspend all the airline’s weekly services from Brisbane to Palau via Port Moresby as of the 1st of May 2024. This service commenced in February 2023 supported by the Australian government under their Pacific Flights Programme. The decision to suspend this service is regrettable, but appropriate. The passenger and freight growth unfortunately did not meet original expectations. Air Niugini is grateful for the chance to participate in this Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) initiative. Air Niugini also thanks the tourism operators for their support over the last 13 months of operating this service and looks forward to opportunities to participate in future programs.

The Eels have pulled off a major recruitment coup with the signing of Zac Lomax on a four-year dealing starting in 2025. Earlier in April Lomax reached an agreement with the Dragons to be released from the remainder of his contract with the club at the end of this current season. Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos said the club is excited to be adding a player of Lomax's caliber to the NRL squad. "He complements our existing playing squad, and with almost 100 NRL games to his name since his debut in 2018, his experience will help the strong group of young players coming through our pathways system," Sarantinos saiid. "We very much look forward to welcoming Zac and his family to our club in 2025, but right now, season 2024 is our focus." In 99 career games so far, Lomax has scored 40 tries and this season has scored five times in six games for the Red V. Source: NRL.Com

A Jamal Fogarty field goal snatched a 21-20 golden point victory for Raiders against a spirited Titans side at GIO Stadium on Sunday night. After a crucial Ethan Strange linebreak handed Fogarty field position, the Raiders veteran slotted the ball through with just nine seconds of extra-time to spare after an earlier attempt from Kieran Foran was charged down by debutant Chevy Stewart. Down 20-10 with less than five minutes to play, Alofiana Khan-Pereira came up with two late tries before Brian Kelly kicked a career-first goal from the sideline to level the scores and send the game to golden point. After absorbing plenty of early pressure, the Raiders opened the scoring in the 18th minute after James Schiller brought down a pinpoint Fogarty kick in the right corner. Canberra extended their lead in the 25th minute with Strange setting up Hudson Young in space on the inside who crashed over the line from close range. Fogarty converted for a 12-0 lead. The Titans got a crucial try on the stroke of half time through Jaimin Jolliffe, who stormed onto a Kieran Foran pass and cross left of the upright to reduce the deficit 12-6 at the break. The Gold Coast carried that momentum into the second half and were right back in the contest when the raiders fumbled a Foran grubber in the in goal before Harley Smith shields planted it down to score against his former club. A blow for the Raiders came early in the second half when Zac Hosking was ruled out with a dislocated shoulder but a Brian Kelly penalty handed Fogarty a chance to knock the ball over for a 14-10 lead. The Titans showed great resolve to defend several consecutive sets in their red zone but Canberra's mountain of pressure and possession prevailed in the 69th minute when Ata Mariota pounced on a loose ball before flicking the ball to Schiller in support who crossed for a double. But the Titans refused to lie down and Khan-Pereira scored a double in the final four minutes to give Kelly a chance to convert from the sideline who sent the game to golden point with a career-first goal. Source: NRL.com

The Opposition Leader has called out the Police Minister for failing to rein-in the Police Commissioner who has long been wanted for very serious crimes including allegations of rape, bribery, illegal shooting and contempt of court. Opposition Leader, Douglas Tomuriesa said that Minister Peter Tsiamalili Junior should be the last to complain when other good and hardworking police officers who are trying to perform their duties through normal police investigative process are being prevented from doing so by the Police Commissioner, with his creation of the unconstitutional so-called “sensitive investigations board.” “The Police Ministers outburst against the media is short-sighted and self-defeating,” said the Opposition Leader. “The Minister should instead be defending the freedom of press and justice for the victim in order to assure the public that the government is doing its job and is not protecting any criminal for political convenience.” Meanwhile, East Sepik Governor and alternate PM, Allan Bird, said that it’s disturbing that the Police Minister is defending the Police Commissioner, which was done before in the matter of the Prime Minister in relation to the Paraka payments. “He did come out and defend the PM in that instance as well,” said Governor Bird. “So, it’s becoming a habit with the Minister concerned where these matters are to be resolved in the court of law, and it’s not up to the Minister to determine guilt or innocence.” Furthermore, Mr. Tomuriesa said Mr. Tsiamalili’s reaction to the recent events indicates very clearly that he is unfit to hold the police ministry and must resign immediately or be terminated by the Prime Minister.

The people of Yangoru-Saussia District in the East Sepik Province celebrated the launch of the Womayen Market project recently which upon completion will be the first ever 24-hour market in the history of PNG and the first in the South Pacific Region according to UN Women. Minister for International Trade and Investment & Yangoru-Saussia MP, Richard Maru said the Womayen Market would be a national asset upon completion because it would not only serve the people of Womayen and the Yangoru-Saussia District but also those from other districts in the East, West Sepik Province, and all travelling public along the Sepik Highway. “This market will operate 24 hours which means there has to be proper electricity and water supply system, a police station so our mothers and girls are safe, a guest house for the mothers travelling from afar to rest in, banks, ablution block, an office, a car park, and other essential facilities.” The first phase of the Womayen Market Project will be the building of the bore water supply system by Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) to supply water to the market and to all the families in the Womayen Village. PNG Country Director for ADRA, Mr. Darren Yorio announced at the launch that work on building the water supply system will commence next week. “We will start next week with our team moving the drilling machine for the bore water supply system.” “From the bore the water will be fed into a tank where it will be treated before being supplied to the market and to every household in the Womayen village through the bore water reticulation system.” “The water supply system should be completed within six months,” said Mr. Yorio. While the water supply system is being constructed, the design work for the market will commence. Maru said, “I will take representatives from the Womayen Village to see the designs and the operations of Gordons Market, Kimbe Market, and Kokopo Market so they can get some ideas and also be involved in the design of the Womayen Market because they know their own market needs and will have to agree and have an input on the design, they want for the Womayen Market.” An Australian company will be engaged to design the market as it has to be a design for a world-class market. “We will be engaging an engineering firm that has been involved in the design and project management of Gordons Market, Kimbe Market, and other markets in the country.” Another important development partner of the Womayen Market project, the UN Women will take care of the “soft” part of the project which includes providing training on the proper management of the market to make it a safe and sustaining project. The Head of UN Women PNG Country Office, Ms. Adekemi Ndieli said, “85% of people in any market in PNG are women and that is why UN Women has worked in 14 markets in PNG including Wewak, Alotau, Kimbe, Goroka, Mt. Hagen, Wabag, Tari, Lae, Gordons, and now Womayen.” Markets are very important because that is where economic activities take place, and it is the root of development. UN Women is here to make sure that this market has the highest standard and everything works well.” Minister Maru urged the UN Women to start the training program as soon as they can. “I will be expecting the UN Women to start talking about the training program before we even start building the market - training on who will manage the market, how to manage it, the employment of youths to manage the market, the structure of the market, how the market can make money for its operations and to pay its employees, etc. Minister Maru who was grateful for this commitment said: “It will cost over K8 million to complete the Womayen Market project.” “The acquiring of the land on which the market will be built on, the earth works, and the water supply system have caused the Yangoru-Saussia DDA K2.5 million.” Minister Maru further appealed to the people of Womayen to take care of the market project, especially to look after all the contractors who will be working to deliver the project.

After an injury-disrupted 2023 campaign, standoff Te Maire Martin has returned to the NRL side for the One New Zealand Warriors and credits his life away from the football field for keeping him balanced. Martin started the 2024 season playing in the club’s New South Wales Cup team but, after Luke Metcalf suffered a broken leg against the Newcastle Knights, has earned another opportunity in the number six jersey. “It’s always good getting to play first grade,” said the former Kiwi international. “I had a good stint off the field last year, had a few games of (NSW) Cup to start the year off, and playing in grade and winning a game like that is pretty special.” It has been an up and down 12 months for Martin as he started 2023 as the first-choice halves partner for Shaun Johnson before being sidelined by his own broken leg (fibula) and then returning for the club’s finals run. The experienced playmaker would be forgiven for riding that emotional rollercoaster with all its highs and lows but, instead, he found balance in nature. Fishing and hunting keeps me nice and happy. You’ve got to have a good balance of footy and away from footy Te Maire Martin One New Zealand Warriors standoff “Fishing and hunting keeps me nice and happy. You’ve got to have a good balance of footy and away from footy,” he said. “I don’t get too caught up in the footy on not playing or playing and I think last year’s stint off the field just made me appreciate playing. “I just enjoy playing, and if I can play first grade it’s even better. “You’ve got to try and find something fun outside of footy that you enjoy and not get caught up too much in it.” Head coach Andrew Webster has been impressed with what he has seen from Martin to begin the season and believes a good run of football will see him fulfil his potential. “When you’ve got a great attitude, you’re fit, you’re healthy, you want to work hard, it’s going to happen for you eventually, especially if you’ve got talent,” said the Dally M coach of the year. “If you’ve got no talent, it’s probably a bit hard, but Te Maire’s got it all and his work ethic, and being a good person, is going to get him where he wants to, so he just needs a bit of luck with his body, and he’ll get it.” Martin’s 78th career appearance on Saturday was just his 10th since joining the club, an occasion marked by a brilliant individual try, two line breaks, a try assist (for Johnson’s second try) and 22 tackles.

Goroka Syntax Secondary School in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province has been de-registered after investigations by officials from the National Department of Education, Provincial Division of Education and the Police found irregularities by the school in the 2023 National Examinations. It was found that the Grade 10 English and Agriculture Examination papers were stolen from the school and made available to students prior to the examination dates. In a letter to the Director of the school, Mr. Dominic Gahane, Education Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra, said, “This misdemeanour portrayed your negligence of due diligence in the security of the examination papers and the administration of the national examinations,” Dr. Kombra said that the security of the national examinations has been a serious issue for the Department for a number of years; therefore, any misdemeanour by schools, teachers and students will not be taken lightly. “Therefore, I have decided to de-register your school from the national education system under Section 100 (4) of the Education Act 1986.” “However, the school can still operate as a private school, but not as a permitted school aligned to the national education system curriculum and certification.”

As rugby league fanatic gear-up for a sensational season, the 2024 Digicel ExxonMobil Cup competition will kick off this super weekend April 13th-14th with 5 matches across the country as they enter a new era focusing on a “Faster, Fairer, and Futuristic” game for PNG fans to enjoy. Asila Waghi Tumbe will host the Gas Resources Central Dabaris in Minj as they return to the elite competition, whilst in West New Britain, the WNB Provincial Government Kimbe Cutters will attempt to beat the Lae Snax Tigers, unless the visitors bite back. Port Moresby will experience a triple treat of matches when the reigning champions the Kumul Mineral Holdings Enga Mioks take on the recently relocated ENB Agmark Gurias Gurias. PRK Gulf Isou will lead out the competition against the Wamp Nga Mt Hagen Eagles. Last year’s runners up the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis will face off against the Moni Plus NCDC Port Moresby Vipers. Lae will be the centre of attention come Sunday 14th April with PRK Mendi Muruks and Kroton Hela Wigmen battling it out in front of an expected bumper crowd to complete the first round. 2024 Digicel ExxonMobil Cup Round 1 matches: Saturday 13th April · 2.00pm Asila Waghi Tumbe vs Gas Resources Central Dabaris, John Amban Oval · 2.00pm WNBPG Kimbe Cutters vs Lae Snax Tigers, Humphreys Oval · 11.00am PRK Gulf Isou vs Wamp Nga Mt Hagen Eagles, National Football Stadium · 1.00pm Moni Plus NCDC Port Moresby Vipers vs Bintangor Goroka Lahanis, National Football Stadium · 3.00pm KMH Enga Mioks vs ENB Agmark Gurias, National Football Stadium Sunday 14th April · 3.00pm PRK Mendi Muruks vs Kroton Hela Wigmen, Lae Rugby League Ground  

The PNG under 16 boys’ soccer team have left today for the OFC U16 Qualifying Tournament in Tonga next week. The tournament will kick off on the 13th of April at Loto-Tonga Soka Centre, Nuku’alofa. PNG is an unseeded country in this age-group competition, where they will need to play for the qualifying tournament and then qualify for the championships to be played in Tahiti. The PNG U16 team is made up off Alexander Posiri, Harry Araga (goalkeepers), Railako Valu, Joshua Malaburgh, Seth Tade, Waterhouse Waiwai, Leightan Enoch, Alban Rani, Tyler Niebo, Hyman Wemin, Israel Ure, Wane Maninare, Taunama Sergeant, Ethan Geita, Nathaniel Ovia, Henry Bae Jnr, Timothy Pepson, Edmund Bwaina and Philemon Deilala. Official: Coach Marty Terry, Assistant Coach Mathias Apo, Manager Dennis Kossie Java, Goalkeeper David Kaura. Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, American Samoa, and host Tonga will compete at the Qualifying Tournament for a place in the OFC Championship to be held in Tahiti from July 28-10 August. The 4 teams will play each other in round robin format over 3 match days. The winner will join New Zealand, Fiji, New Caledonia, Tahiti, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, and Samoa in Papeeter, Tahiti. New Zealand, Vanuatu, Fiji and Cook Islands have been drawn in Group A with New Caledonia, Samoa, Tahiti and the Qualifying Winner in Group B. Group A will kick-off with New Zealand vs Vanuatu and Fiji vs Cook Islands while Group B begins with New Caledonia and Tahiti versus Qualifying winner. The winner and runner up will represent Oceania at the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2025.