Tonight’s the night. The biggest match in Australian football history: the Matildas against England for the right to face Spain in the World Cup final. Australia have reached the semi-finals for the first time in history, while England lost in the semi-final stage at the last two Women’s World Cups. But the Matildas have recent history against England, ending a 30-game unbeaten run for the Lionesses with an impressive 2-0 win in a friendly in April. The match begins at 8pm AEST at Stadium Australia in Sydney. The Matildas claimed a stunning win over France in the quarter final. Now they’re looking to go one better. England are the European champions, the world’s fourth-ranked team – six higher than the Matildas – and even with several of their finest players missing the tournament through injury they come into the match as strong favourites. Tony Gustavsson isn’t afraid of being the underdogs. “If you look at rankings, they’re the favourites,” he said. But there’s two key reasons the coach believes his Matildas side is perfectly positioned to deliver another upset. He added: “But if you then add the belief we have and the one thing they don’t have, which is the support and the belief from the fans. “That in itself is going to be massive.” As for England, they’re not buying into the favouritism tag despite being the highest-ranked team left in the tournament (fourth, with Spain sixth and Australia tenth). “I don’t think Australia are the underdog, they are playing at home and the stadium will be very full,” coach Sarina Wiegman said. “There are two teams that are very strong and have grown into the tournament, it’s going to be very tight and competitive. “We approach the game as any other game, we prepare how we want to play and analyse our opponent really well so we can hopefully expose some weaknesses.” In yesterday’s pre-match press conference, Tony Gustavsson said the match would be a fascinating tactical battle. He openly mused whether the Lionesses would stick to their possession style or change their approach to try and nullify Australia’s extreme danger on the counterattack. “It will be an interesting tactical game in that sense, is England going to stay true to their possession game? Or are they going to take away our transition game by playing a different style of football than they normally do?” If there’s one match-up that Australian fans will be looking forward to, it’s Sam Kerr against England’s superstar goalkeeper Mary Earps. FIFA WWC Semi-final 2 Australia vs England Where: Stadium Australia, Sydney When: 8pm AEST Source: Fox Sports

The Australian Rugby League Commission has announced details of a Pacific Championships involving international men’s and women’s matches in October and November this year. The Commission has also announced a partnership with the Australian Government in order to promote and develop Rugby League in the Pacific through the Championships. The Albanese Government will partner with the NRL to ensure Pacific Championships matches can be played in the Pacific, enabling players to play in front of their loyal local fans. Six men’s teams and seven women’s teams will take part in the 2023 tournament across two pools, which will begin on October 14. The men’s tournaments will culminate in finals in Hamilton, New Zealand, and Port Moresby on November 4-5. The 2023 Championships will include two match days in Australia, two in New Zealand and four in Papua New Guinea (PNG). 2023 Pacific Championships Schedule Week One – October 14-15 Australia v Samoa (men) at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville Australia v New Zealand (women) at Queensland Country Bank Stadium Townsville PNG v Cook Islands (men) at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby Samoa v Fiji (women) at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby Week Two – October 21-22 New Zealand v Samoa (men) at Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand v Tonga (women) at Eden Park, Auckland Fiji v Cook Islands (men) at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby PNG v Cook Islands (women) at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby Week Three – October 28-29 Australia v New Zealand (men) at AAMI Park, Melbourne Australia v New Zealand (women) at AAMI Park, Melbourne PNG v Fiji (men) at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby Week Four – November 4-5 The Final of the men’s Pacific Cup tournament on November 4 in Hamilton, New Zealand The Final of the men’s Pacific Bowl tournament on November 5 at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa and Papua New Guinea will take part in the 2023 men’s Pacific Championships, while Tonga travel to England for an historic three Test series. It is envisaged that Tonga will play in the 2024 Pacific Championships, possibly with another nation travelling to Europe, before England men’s and women’s teams come to Australia in 2025 for a revival of the Ashes. The 2023 Pacific Championships will include two match days in Australia, two in New Zealand and four in Papua New Guinea. The men’s tournaments will be spread across two pools from October 14 and culminate in finals in Hamilton and Port Moresby on November 4-5. Tonga women will join the other six nations in a series of international fixtures that make up the women’s 2023 Pacific Championships when they take on the Kiwi Ferns at Eden Park on October 21, along with the Kiwis and Samoa. The Jillaroos and Kiwi Ferns will meet twice in Townsville on October 14, as part of a double-header featuring the Kangaroos and Samoa, and in Melbourne on October 28, alongside the Australian and New Zealand men’s teams in a trans-Tasman double-header. “The Commission’s focus on growing the international game will combine with an equally strong desire to grow rugby league in the Pacific,” ARLC Commissioner the Hon Kate Jones said. “The 2023 Pacific Championships will showcase the best of international Rugby League in matches across three countries. Importantly, the international matches will be highlighted by both men’s and women’s matches. “The southern hemisphere tournaments will deliver on the broader NRL Pacific Strategy objectives - to create pathways for aspiring athletes, coaches, referees and administrators from the Pacific along with further growing international Rugby League.” Source: NRL .com

PNG FM Limited on Tuesday 15th August, donated IT equipment to the Don Bosco Technical Institute (DBTI) in Port Moresby to help support the school’s IT department in carrying out more practical work. Don Bosco Technical Institute IT Department-Area Coordinator, Mr. Noel Kibai said they do not have a lot of equipment on hand at this time and with such donations, this will surly assist with a lot of practical work. “With the equipment’s donated, these will really help us to carry our more practical work for the students, especially hands on work now. ” He also mentioned that apart from the IT department, the other departments also need such important donations to carry on their operation. Meanwhile, PNG FM Ltd IT Officer, Mr. Sam Kopi said it’s always good to give back for a good cause especially to the schools to help educate the younger generations. “We are happy to support and not only that, this donation also provides that pathway for grater outcomes and that partnership between the school and the PNG FM.” “There are plans in place for a formal partnership between the school and PNG FM that will be announced soon and we are looking forward to it because this will benefit everyone involved.” Mr. Kopi is also appealing to other organizations to look at such areas and donate for a good cause.

Penrith winger Brian To'o fell short of declaring the Broncos as the team that were the most threatening to their chances of a three-peat but said he "looked forward" to a potential finals showdown. The Panthers and Broncos are locked in a battle for the minor premiership with both level on 38 competition points. A bye this weekend gives the Broncos a guaranteed two more with To'o's side set for a final away clash against the Titans. Penrith have won two minor premierships in the past three years - losing out to the Storm on for and against in 2021 - but among their closest opponents this year have been the Broncos and Knights on the scoreboard. "Yes, in a way, but we’re still on the same goal to reach the end," To'o said on Tuesday when asked if the minor premiership was a focus. "[The Broncos] have come a long way in the past 2-3 years. I’m really happy for them to see where they’re at and they’re heading to the top as well. "We’re looking forward to seeing them down the track and are still building to reach where we want to be." Part of the Panthers' chances of claiming the J.J. Giltinan Shield could rest on whether Ivan Cleary opts to rest players ahead of the finals like he has done in previous seasons. Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards and winger Sunia Turuva have played every game in 2023 while Mitch Kenny (21) missed his first match last weekend. For To'o, who equalled his best try-scoring efforts with 15 tries in 19 games last week, he's not in the mood to sit on the sidelines as the finals approach. Part of the reason is due to pulling up well after a gruelling Origin series where he featured in every match, along with the reality two his closest teammates - Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu - were departing at season's end. "Hell no, I don’t want to rest," To'o said. "I love putting on the jersey. There’s nothing more that I want than to play for this team and the boys. "I’ve felt alright. Usually my body is sore after Origin but I feel pretty good. Mentally I’m sweet, if you have the right support, good friends and family. "I don’t want a rest at all. Every game, just make the most of everything. Even though I’ll see him outside of footy. You live these moments to the fullest and that’s something I want to do especially for Spencer and Critta as well." Crichton and Leniu's exits will discussed for much of the off-season but just like the recovery efforts this year after Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau departed, the success has kept on coming. "It's the whole development and it starts from the juniors and just what the club has done with past players to send them off to their next step in their career," To'o said. "It’s something special and hopefully we can send the boys off on a high who are leaving this year as we." Source: NRL.Com

Yangoru Saussia District in the East Sepik province has stood out as the top performing district in the Grade 8 national Examinations Data Report for the year 2022, followed by Maprik and Wewak. Yangoru-Saussia MP, Hon. Richard Maru said this was the result of Yangoru-Saussia Development Authority’s investment in education in the last ten years and now into the 11th year under their policy of ‘God First and Education Second’. “It has always been my vision since I became the Member of Yangoru-Saussia for my district to be number one and have the most educated population in the East Sepik Province. As a result of our policy of ‘God First and Education Second’ Yangoru-Saussia DDA has invested nearly K40 million in education alone in the last ten years from our DSIP. “ On top of the Yangoru-Saussia DDA’s contribution, the Australian Government invested K18 million for the Yangoru School of Excellence, and adding the contributions of other partners, Yangoru-Saussia had seen an investment of over K60 million in education alone in the last 10 years under the leadership of Mr. Maru. “This is a very significant investment and 11 years on we are reaping the results; however, I am still not satisfied and want to do more.” “We, at the DDA level are now deliberately investing in early childhood education so our children can start going to school as early as 3 and 4 years old to be taught and mentored properly. “ “The world is looking for very good English speakers and computer literate students and employees, so we must prepare our children well in our early childhood education efforts.” Maru said this when he officially opened a twin classroom for Boim-Sara Elementary School recently. This twin classroom was completed at the cost of K150, 000 and the DDA also bought the tables and chairs for these classrooms at the cost of K18, 000. The opening was celebrated in a big way by the people of Boim-Sara. The people of Boim-Sara requested Yangoru-Saussia DDA for a primary school so their children would not have to walk all the way to Warabung Primary School to be educated. In response, Maru said Boim-Sara is a very big village in the district and they deserved a primary school, but they first had to sort out the land issues. “There cannot be a primary school here until you sort out the land issues and give us a prime land to build the school,” said Maru. Maru also presented two chainsaws to the people of Boim-Sara under the Housing Scheme so they could start building permanent houses before power goes in.

Canberra Raiders Captain Jarrod Croker has announced he will retire from the NRL at the end of the 2023 season after 15 seasons and over 300 matches for the club. He informed his teammates of his decision late last week. Croker made his debut for the Raiders in 2009 against the Roosters at GIO Stadium Canberra and has achieved several significant club and NRL milestones in a wonderful career. He holds the records for the Raiders in points scored (2358) and tries scored (135) while also sitting third on the list of all-time NRL point scorers behind Cameron Smith and Hazem El Masri. Over the course of his career, he has won the clubs player of the year award (Meninga Medal), the Dally M Captain of the year award and the Provan-Summons medal and was Captain alongside Josh Hodgson in the Raiders Grand Final appearance in 2019.   Croker said the decision to retire from the game was something that had been on his mind in recent times and he’s decided that the end of the current season is the right timing for him to finish his career. “I’ve been weighing the decision up over the past couple of weeks and although my heart and mind wants to keep playing for the club I love, the reality is that my body knows it’s time for me to retire,” Croker said. “I’m comfortable with the decision I’ve made and I now get to spend the remainder of the year working alongside my teammates as we look to push towards the finals.” Croker said he would reflect more on the decision at the end of the season and wanted the focus to remain on the team as they look to finish the season strongly. “I’ve got lots of people to thank including my wife Brittney, my sons Rory and Tate, my mum and dad and all my family and friends, but I’ll have an opportunity to do that at the end of the season,” he said. “Right now, my focus remains on the team and us looking to win a premiership.” Raiders Coach Ricky Stuart said the Raiders would always be home for Jarrod Croker and he would finish his career as one of the best to ever represent the club. “Jarrod Croker will go down as one of the legends of this club. His achievements and his selflessness for the jersey are everything you want in a player and he will retire from the game alongside some of the greats to wear the green jersey,” Stuart said. “Jarrod is a local boy from Goulburn who played his entire career from junior representatives right through to 300 games in the NRL and he is the perfect example of what it is to be a Raider.” “Jarrod Croker is and will always be a Canberra Raider.” Source: NRL. Com

Ryan Papenhuyzen is looming as Melbourne Storm’s finals wildcard with the star fullback a real “chance” to return in two weeks’ time after starring in the Queensland Cup on Saturday. The 2020 Clive Churchill Medallist hasn’t played first grade in over a year after suffering a sickening knee injury in last year’s Magic Round. Although, the explosive Papenhuyzen took a big step towards what would be an emotional return to the NRL with an eye-catching 80-minute display for the Sunshine Coast Falcons on Saturday. He finished with a try, two line break assists, two try assists and 127 run metres in his second game back following a long recovery from a shattered kneecap. Storm coach Craig Bellamy has been very careful to not put a timeframe on Papenhuyzen’s return, but hinted on Sunday he could be back for Melbourne’s final game of the premiership season against Gold Coast at AAMI Park on August 26. “It’d be nice to get him back, but I don’t want to bring him back too early," Bellamy said after Storm’s 48-2 victory over Raiders on Sunday. "He hasn’t played at the top level for a real long time so we’ll have a chat to him in the week and the medical team will have their say on it as well and we’ll see what happens. “I doubt we’ll play him next week, but the following week if everything goes OK and we’re all on the same page then that might be a chance.” Papenhuyzen’s return would see Nick Meaney shift to the outside backs after playing the whole season at the back. “I haven’t actually seen his (Papenhuyzen’s) performance yesterday yet, so we’ll have a look at that in the next couple of days,” Bellamy said. “I’ll sit down with him and see where he’s at. “All along we haven’t had any expectations at all and we’re just going to take it week by week. “I had a quick chat to him today and he was quite happy with the way he got through, so we’ll just have a look at that and compare notes I suppose and have a look. “But if you had a look at Nick’s performance today, he was one of our best. “So there’s no pressure on us to rush him back or to have him back when he’s not quite ready, whether that be footy wise or mentally. “It would be good if he could come back because we know Nick can play any position in the backs.” Bellamy was thrilled with his side’s big win on Sunday against a side that has troubled the Storm often in the past. “We had some real intent and discipline about our preparation this week with our training sessions,” he said. “I thought we played really well. “We weren’t that great with the ball to be honest. “We made a lot of errors, especially in the first half, but we built our game on our defence which is a bit of old school Melbourne Storm probably, but that’s what we wanted to do. Source: NRL.Com

Little old Leigh: front and center of the rugby league universe. The decades spent in the wilderness, the countless financial crises, the days playing in front of tiny crowds; they have all just been consigned to the annals of history with one decisive swing of Lachlan Lam’s left boot. It is difficult to remember a rugby league story quite like this. This time last year, Leigh were celebrating winning the 1895 Cup, the competition for non-Super League clubs to enjoy a day out alongside the Challenge Cup final. Now, the town with a population barely exceeding 40,000 has their hands on the sport’s biggest prize for the first time since 1971. Leigh, ridiculed for their rebrand in the winter to the Leopards, with their owner, Derek Beaumont, introducing a leopard-themed kit, were tipped to be fighting relegation this season. Yet incredibly, they have won the Challenge Cup after the first final settled in extra time, with Lam the match-winner. For the first time in a long time, Leigh are the name on everyone’s lips in rugby league land. Calling it a fairytale does not even come close. Perhaps it was fitting that Lam, their linchpin at scrum-half, settled the game. It is 21 years since his father, Adrian, Leigh’s coach, kicked a drop goal in Wigan’s victory in the final against Bradford. Lachlan was there then, watching his father create history: he has now done so himself. “I don’t want to make it about Lachlan, but it was a special moment,” Adrian said. “I’ve thought this week how lucky I am to have him playing here for my team and playing well. It’s incredible to think how this has happened. It’s an incredible story for rugby league.” Lam settled the final with a nerveless drop goal to vanquish Hull KR, but only after the Robins had forced extra time with Matt Parcell’s try as the game entered the final minute with Leigh winning 16-10. You felt the momentum was with Rovers given how they scrambled extra time. But Lam was the one who delivered when it mattered most, meaning Rovers’ wait for a first cup triumph since 1980 will go on for at least another year. “It’s hard to take but it I’m so proud of all the players,” their coach, Willie Peters, said. He was right: they played their part in a classic. There was never more than six points between the sides, with Leigh ahead by two in an action-packed first half. They took an early lead through a Ben Reynolds penalty before Brad Schneider’s try put Rovers ahead. Leigh responded when Kai O’Donnell and Lam combined to send the latter through and make it 8-6 to the Leopards. Elliot Minchella was then sent to the sin-bin for a high shot on Reynolds and while the scrum-half’s penalty made it 10-6, Leigh did not take full advantage. That meant by the time Minchella returned shortly after half‑time and Hull KR had clawed back the deficit further through a Schneider penalty, the final was in the balance. The drama would not relent. Schneider added another penalty to make it 10-10 and with 10 minutes remaining Tom Briscoe crossed in the corner to put Leigh back ahead. It looked to be a decisive score until the Leopards failed to deal with a kick and Parcell grounded in the ensuing melee to send it to extra time. Now it was a case of who would blink first. Gareth O’Brien skewed a drop-goal attempt wide for Leigh, before Schneider’s long-range effort fell desperately short. That left the door ajar for Lam to emulate his father’s heroics and he duly obliged. Source: The Guardian

Recent attendees of the Saint John Ambulance (SJA) Basic emergency first aid training course have expressed much satisfaction with the outcome of the training. Sil Namora, a third-year Political Science student, and Geita Taviri, a fourth-year Biological Science student studying at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), were both among recent attendees of this vital lifesaving training. Geita commended the trainer and the intensity of the program. He said, "I learned how to use first aid equipment and not just that, but I properly learned how to perform CPR and use the voice prompt defibrillator." Geita feels that the skills and knowledge he gained will be immensely beneficial to him. "Not many people know the significance of first aid, and going through the training, highlights its importance." Sil also expressed her appreciation for the training, describing it as great and very helpful. She shared a personal reason for her interest in first aid, having lost her father to a heart attack. Sil believes that having basic first aid knowledge back then could have made a difference in her family's ability to help him. Both Geita and Sil, who are interns at the Business Council of Papua New Guinea under The Fresh Program, are enthusiastic about their involvement in first aid training and volunteering opportunities within the ambulance service. Their positive outlook reflects their commitment to enhancing their skills and contributing to the welfare of the community. The Emergency First Aid Course includes a combination of theory and practical simulations of real-life emergency scenarios. The course teaches a range of first aid skills including CPR, first aid equipment, and alternatives that can be used in rural PNG.

A total of 40 young and vibrant youth leaders from the Bougainville Youth Federation (BYF) in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, will be attending a forthcoming Civic Engagement Camp as part of this year’s International Youth Day celebrations. The youths will be able to do this all thanks to a grant of K2.1 million given to the Bougainville Youth Federation (BYF) by the Australian government aimed at strengthening organizational capacity and develop regional youth networks in Bougainville, that will help assist the young leaders between the ages of 16 and 35. The grant agreement was signed by representatives from BYF, the Australian Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government’s (ABG) Department of Community Development as part of this year’s International Youth Day celebrations. Australian High Commission First Secretary, Dr. Fiona Crockford said the grant acknowledges Australia’s ongoing support to the Bougainville Youth Federation. “These kinds of activities help Bougainville youth to embrace their culture and contribute in a positive way to Bougainville society,” she said. Secretary of the ABG Department of Community Development, Mana Kakarouts, said the BYF was an important partner for the government’s successful implementation of the Bougainville Youth Policy. This year’s theme – ‘Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World', is particularly relevant for Bougainville, given the recent challenges imposed on the people, their livelihoods and the environment following the volcanic eruption of Mount Bagana. Members of the Torokina District Youth Association (DYA) are already implementing the green skills required to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change, with projects designed to regenerate mangroves and strengthen food security in Torokina. This experience, and the support of the grant, will allow the DYA to engage closely with the volcano-effected communities in Torokina. As the peak body representing Bougainville’s youth, the BYF will coordinate youth activities across the region for more than 500 registered youth groups from the 17 District and Urban Youth Associations, comprising over 30,000 youth as individual members. “The grant empowers the BYF and its members to realize its vision – that youth in Bougainville participate fully in governance and development programs at all levels and across all sectors,” said BYF Chairperson, Junior Pais. The grant also funds the BYF’s Livelihoods program, which supports skills-based learning and entrepreneurship. Since 2016, about 1, 200 young people have participated in livelihood training and 400 BYF members have engaged in various micro-projects, including poultry, piggery, screen printing and brickmaking activities.

The Broncos have locked up a top four spot after powering to a 54-10 win over the Eels which leaves the latter's finals hopes hanging by a thread. It was a night at The Gabba which couldn't have gone much worse for last year's beaten grand finalists, who now face an uphill battle to be part of the post season and may have to try and do so without their representative halfback Mitchell Moses. Moses suffered a suspected facial fracture in the first half and failed to play any of the second half, while second-rower Andrew Davey also didn't play beyond the 46th minute after failing a HIA. Brisbane on the other hand were all smiles after arguably their best performance of the year and now head into the bye in Round 25 with their pursuit of the minor premiership well and truly alive. A stunning piece of work from Reece Walsh and Kurt Capewell down the short side, which resulted in an Adam Reynolds try, set the tone for the night early on and over the next 20 minutes Brisbane scored three more tries to lead 24-0 at the break. First Billy Walters and Deine Mariner got the first of their personal doubles, before Herbie Farnworth jogged backwards into the in-goal area for a try two minutes from the half, after shaking out of a brave attempted tackle from Moses, who by that stage already appeared to have suffered his injury. The home side simply couldn't put a foot wrong and after retaining possession by overturning an on-field call with a captain's challenge, they sent Mariner flying over for his second early in the second period. Ezra Mam then jumped on a Capewell offload and danced over, before Walters supported up the middle to grab an in-field kick and secure his first career double. To their credit the Eels did get over for two late consolation tries through Sean Russell and Dylan Brown, but a Kurt Capwell try in between them and one last four-pointer through Walsh, who capped off a brilliant performance that included four line-break assists and 159 run metres, took Brisbane past the half century.

The Panthers took a huge step towards their third minor premiership in four years with a 24-12 win over the Sea Eagles on Thursday night. The defending champs are riding a seven-game winning streak as they head into games against the Titans, Eels and Cowboys to round out another dominant season. After a Josh Schuster intercept had threatened to give Manly the perfect start it was Stephen Crichton returning the favour in the eighth minute and racing 70 metres to grab the game's opening try. A pinpoint kick from Daly Cherry-Evans from 30 metres out earned Manly a repeat set in the 19th minute and Toafofoa Sipley crashed over from close range to level the scores at 6-6. The Sea Eagles took the lead in the 27th minute when Cherry-Evans ran the ball on the last tackle and put Reuben Garrick into a hole from close range to make it 12-6 with the fullback's conversion. Panthers skipper Isaah Yeo's ball-playing skills put Moses Leota into a gap withing sight of the Manly goal line with five minutes to play in the half but the prop put the pass down and the opportunity was lost. Three minutes later the Panthers had their second when the ball was kept alive off a bomb and a grubber and found its way to the left edge where Crichton dived over for his second of the night. Cleary converted from touch to make it 12-12 at the break. In the space of two minutes to open the second half the Sea Eagles had Ben Trbojevic and Brad Parker sent for head injury assessments and Dean Matterson placed on report for a high shot. The Panthers extended their lead in the 47th minute when Edwards and Crichton combined to send Sunia Turuva on a long run to the line after Garrick had bizarrely kicked the ball back to the premiers after receiving it on his own 20-metre line from a Cleary kick. A penalty against Jake Trbojevic for a dangerous tackle in the 52nd minute handed Cleary a chance to add two more points and the Panthers led 20-12. Come the 64th minute and the Panthers had a fourth when Isaah Yeo, Edwards and Zac Hosking combined on the right to put Brian To'o over in the corner. From there the Panthers did enough to close out a 24-12 victory - their 16th win of the season and eighth in a row against Manly. With Cleary in total control and the outside backs all making huge metres the Panthers always had the game under control despite Manly throwing the ball around and asking plenty of questions. Source: NRL.Com