AGP Executive Report

SP Sports Awards: Ramona Padio was named Female Athlete of the Year, while the PNG Lewas took Carbine Club Team of the Year and Sparrows Netball Club won Performance of the Year—plus Terry Longbut was crowned Media Personality of the Year at the 34th awards in Port Moresby. Women’s Rugby League: PNGRFL wrapped up a 2026 women’s Football Conference in Port Moresby, setting new standards and a longer 10-week Santos Cup structure with stronger medical and coaching support. PNG Chiefs & Rugby League: Rhyse Martin confirmed he’ll retire from playing and join the PNG Chiefs as Football Operations Manager from 2027, reuniting with Willie Peters and focusing on player welfare and integration. Community Sport Funding: The Australian High Commission announced 23 Pilai Long Stap Wantaim (Play for Unity) Fund recipients across 13 provinces, backing inclusive youth sport, gender equality, disability inclusion and peacebuilding. Bilum & Arts Festival: PNG Contemporary Bilum and Arts Festival launched in Port Moresby, spotlighting bilum as cultural heritage and a business pathway for women. Cricket for Learning: Cricket PNG launched “Cricket Numeracy in PNG,” using cricket-based activities to boost students’ maths skills.

Rugby League World Cup culture: Fiji’s Culden Kamea has urged the FNRL to bring in a cultural challenge like the Cibi/iBole at this year’s Rugby League World Cup, arguing the hymn singing on the field is the wrong mindset. PNG Chiefs build-out: PNG Chiefs have appointed Kumuls and Super League veteran Rhyse Martin as Football Operations Manager from 2027, with the club also confirming more NRL recruitment momentum including Connor Watson. Women’s rugby league upgrade: PNG Rugby Football League is rolling out new standards and a longer 2026 Santos Cup, aiming to strengthen medical support, coaching and player systems. Sport + learning: Cricket PNG launched “Cricket Numeracy in PNG,” using cricket-based activities to boost maths skills in schools. Community sport funding: Australia’s Pilai Long Stap Wantaim (Play for Unity) Fund has backed 23 PNG recipients, supporting inclusive youth sport across provinces. Bilum & arts festival: A new PNG Contemporary Bilum and Arts Festival in Port Moresby spotlighted bilum weaving and women’s empowerment. Music in the region: The Aelan Riddim Festival returns to Honiara with PNG, Fiji and Vanuatu artists promising a big night.

PNG Chiefs NRL Build: Rhyse Martin is set to return home as Football Operations Manager from 2027, bringing leadership, world-record goal-kicking form, and a long bond with coach Willie Peters. NRL Recruitment: Connor Watson is also reportedly lining up for the Chiefs from 2028, adding another high-profile utility option as the franchise gears up for its 2028 entry. Women’s Rugby League: PNG Rugby Football League has locked in new standards and a longer 10-week Santos Cup for 2026, with stronger medical support, accredited coaching, and better contract systems. Community Sport Funding: The Australian High Commission’s Pilai Long Stap Wantaim (Play for Unity) Fund has backed 23 PNG recipients across 13 provinces, targeting inclusive participation, gender equality, disability inclusion, peacebuilding and youth leadership. Skills & Jobs: Pacific Australia Skills launched in Port Moresby to boost TVET and training pathways for young Papua New Guineans. Cricket for Learning: Cricket PNG released “Cricket Numeracy in PNG,” using match-style activities to teach maths in schools. Bilum & Arts: The PNG Contemporary Bilum and Arts Festival is pushing bilum as a national cultural symbol and a women’s empowerment engine. Music Spotlight: BU DJ Competition crowned PNG’s top turntable talent, while Aelan Riddim Festival promises a big Pacific lineup in Honiara.

PNG Chiefs build momentum: Rhyse Martin has officially retired from pro rugby league to become football operations manager for the PNG Chiefs from 2027, reuniting with coach Willie Peters and focusing on player welfare and integration ahead of the club’s 2028 NRL entry. Chiefs recruitment: Connor Watson is reportedly set to join the Chiefs on a two-year deal starting 2028, after talks following a Port Moresby visit. Community sport support: The Australian High Commission’s Pilai Long Stap Wantaim (Play for Unity) Fund has backed 23 PNG recipients across 13 provinces, with grants aimed at youth empowerment, gender equality, disability inclusion and peacebuilding through sport. Skills for jobs: Pacific Australia Skills launched in Port Moresby with AUD$229.5m support to strengthen PNG technical and vocational training pathways. Music & culture: Air Niugini is backing PNG artists travelling to Solomon Islands for the Aelan Riddim Festival, while the PNG Contemporary Bilum and Arts Festival spotlighted women’s empowerment through bilum weaving and arts entrepreneurship. Sport diplomacy: Moana Pasifika’s rescue plan is gaining traction ahead of the final Super Rugby game.

NRL & PNG Chiefs: Rhyse Martin has officially retired from pro rugby league and will join the PNG Chiefs as football operations manager from 2027, reuniting with coach Willie Peters and focusing on player welfare and integration ahead of the franchise’s 2028 NRL entry. High-profile signings: Roosters utility Connor Watson has confirmed he’s seriously considering a move to the PNG Chiefs, with talks ongoing after a Port Moresby visit. Community sport funding: The Australian High Commission’s Pilai Long Stap Wantaim (Play for Unity) Fund has backed 23 PNG recipients across 13 provinces, targeting inclusive participation, gender equality, disability inclusion, peacebuilding and youth leadership. Skills for the future: Pacific Australia Skills was launched in Port Moresby with AUD$229.5m support to strengthen PNG’s technical and vocational training pathways. Bilum & arts: PNG’s inaugural Contemporary Bilum and Arts Festival in Port Moresby spotlighted women’s empowerment through bilum weaving and cultural entrepreneurship. Music across Melanesia: Aelan Riddim returns in Honiara with PNG, Fiji and Vanuatu artists, while Air Niugini is backing travel for visiting performers. Wushu milestone: Tony Mitu Jr. returned to Port Moresby with PNG’s first international wushu medal, winning bronze in Brisbane.

Bilum & Arts Festival: Port Moresby’s inaugural PNG Contemporary Bilum and Arts Festival is being framed as a women’s empowerment push, with leaders highlighting bilum as both cultural heritage and a pathway to social and economic opportunity. Sport Funding & Women’s Rugby League: Australia has backed the 2026 Rugby League World Cup with $12.4m, with Papua New Guinea named among co-hosts and women’s matches set to be a major focus. NRL Chiefs Recruitment Talk: Connor Watson says he’s seriously considering a move to the PNG Chiefs, confirming contract talks and sharing that his Port Moresby visit changed his view of daily life. Music Across Melanesia: Aelan Riddim returns in Honiara, with PNG artists among the lineup, while Air Niugini supports travel for performers. Wushu Milestone: Tony Mitu Jr. won PNG’s first international wushu medal—bronze in Brisbane—bringing fresh momentum to the sport at home. Local Talent Spotlight: The BU DJ Competition crowned PNG’s top turntable talent in Port Moresby, awarding a K25,000 prize pool. Health Access: St John Ambulance commissioned its first ambulance service in Unggai Bena District, after training local officers and responding to hundreds of emergencies. Fashion Goes International: PNG Fashion Week made an international runway debut in Brisbane with Couture in Paradise PNGFW 2026.

Pacific Music Spotlight: Aelan Riddim Music Festival returns to Honiara this weekend, with PNG acts Danielle, Kronos and Tasik Yard joining Fiji’s KU KI and Naomi and Vanuatu’s Shazza, plus Solomon Islands performers—Air Niugini is also backing the PNG artists’ travel. Local Sports Role Models: East Sepik Governor Allan Bird says NRL star Alex Johnston could become a “catalyst” for rugby league in a soccer-leaning province, while a Port Moresby fan won an Alex Johnston meet-and-greet prize at Rangeview Plaza. NRL Expansion Talk: Connor Watson confirms he’s seriously considering a move to the PNG Chiefs, with contract talks ongoing and a reported two-year deal from 2028. Arts & Culture Launch: The inaugural PNG Contemporary Bilum and Arts Festival kicks off in Port Moresby, with bilum framed as a national symbol and a platform for women’s empowerment. Music Awards: Late Daniel Bilip dominates the 20th Yumi FM PNG Musik Awards, taking four major honours posthumously. Wushu Milestone: Tony Mitu Jr wins PNG’s first international wushu medal—bronze in Brisbane. Health Access: St John Ambulance commissions its first ambulance service in Unggai Bena District, after training and community awareness work. Fashion Goes Global: Couture in Paradise PNGFW 2026 makes an international runway debut in Brisbane.

Rugby League World Cup Boost: Australia has injected $12.4m to power the 2026 Rugby League World Cup across Australia, PNG and New Zealand—covering men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments, with the Jillaroos set to defend their title. State of Origin Tonight: The Blues and Maroons kick off Game I in Sydney at 8:05pm (PNG time), with Queensland chasing another shield defence on enemy turf. Skills for Youth: PNG and Australia launched the Pacific Australia Skills program in Port Moresby, aiming to strengthen TVET pathways and build a stronger workforce. Bilum & Arts Spotlight: The PNG Contemporary Bilum and Arts Festival has officially launched in Port Moresby, pushing bilum as a national symbol and a platform for women’s empowerment. Music on the Move: CCEP PNG’s BU DJ Competition crowned its winners, while PNG’s Wushu star Tony Mitu Jr returned with the country’s first international medal in the sport. Community Services: St John Ambulance commissioned its first ambulance service in Unggai Bena, after training local officers and responding to hundreds of emergencies.

Bilum and Arts Festival: PNG’s inaugural Contemporary Bilum and Arts Festival launched in Port Moresby, with NCD Governor Powes Parkop calling bilum a uniquely PNG symbol and urging the event to become a permanent national platform for culture, tourism and women’s economic empowerment. Music Spotlight: Coca-Cola Europacific Partners’ BU DJ Competition crowned Wayne Dawg and Skedeh as masters, while PNG’s music scene also marked major milestones at the 20th YUMI FM PNG Musik Awards, including posthumous honours for Daniel Bilip and big wins for artists like Tarvin Toune. Sport Breakthrough: Tony Mitu Jr returned from Brisbane with PNG’s first international Wushu medal, a bronze in men’s 70kg Sanda. Community Services: St John Ambulance commissioned its first ambulance service in Unggai-Bena, after training local officers and responding to more than 200 emergencies. Regional Arts Link: Air Niugini backed 10 PNG artists to travel for the Aelan Riddim Music Festival in Solomon Islands. Infrastructure Boost: Marape says more than K400 million is set for the Rabaul port facelift, backed by France and European financing.

Diplomatic Push: PNG Prime Minister James Marape is in France to mark 50 years of ties, announcing plans for a new PNG embassy in Paris—currently PNG’s nearest mission is in Brussels—while Macron hailed PNG forests as “the true lungs of the Pacific.” Olympic Road: The Manusina 7s were thrashed 43-0 by Fiji at Oceania Sevens, but still have a shot at Olympic repechage with a fifth-place playoff win over the Solomon Islands. Sports Switch Shock: Rugby league’s PNG-linked expansion story hit turbulence as NRL CEO Andrew Abdo quit for Tennis Australia, leaving Peter V’landys to steer the league as interim boss. Wushu Breakthrough: Tony Mitu Jr won PNG’s first international Wushu medal, taking bronze in Brisbane. Music Spotlight: The 20th Yumi FM PNG Musik Awards keep building momentum, with major posthumous and lifetime-recognition moments for PNG artists. Finance Watch: An FNRL report raises questions about hidden debts and mismatched spending records.

NRL Shock Move: Andrew Abdo has quit as NRL CEO and is set to take over at Tennis Australia, with Peter V’landys stepping in as interim boss until July 15—leaving the league mid-expansion and just as broadcast talks heat up. PNG Sport Spotlight: Tony Mitu Jr landed PNG’s first international Wushu medal, winning bronze in men’s 70kg Sanda in Brisbane, while the PNG Barramundis and Mosquitoes continue to prove PNG can win globally—yet funding still lags beyond one code. Health & Work Culture: Ok Tedi’s 90-Day Live Well Campaign ends with a walkathon and futsal awards, backed by a goal-tracking app. Arts & Music: The 20th Yumi FM PNG Musik Awards keep rolling—Daniel Bilip’s sister accepted his posthumous Justin Kili Award, and multiple artists were honoured across the night. Governance Watch: Public Works Committee report 3/2026 lists major refurbishments including a Konedobu, Port Moresby residential compound. Diplomacy: Envoys gathered for Africa Day 2026 in Seoul, with PNG among the participating missions.

NRL Shockwave: Andrew Abdo has quit as NRL boss to take a top role at Tennis Australia, leaving the league scrambling as broadcast talks loom and State of Origin kicks off. Interim Leadership: Peter V’landys is set to step in as interim chief executive while the NRL searches for a replacement. PNG in the Sports Spotlight: Abdo’s tenure included major PNG expansion momentum, and the PNG Chiefs are also pushing confidence ahead of their 2028 NRL entry under incoming coach Willie Peters. Fashion on the Global Runway: Couture in Paradise PNG Fashion Week 2026 made its international debut in Brisbane, bringing Pacific and world designers together. Music Milestone Moments: The 20th Yumi FM PNG Musik Awards are in full swing, with late Daniel Bilip honoured posthumously and multiple major wins across the night. Cultural Threads: Asaro Mudmen clay masks get fresh attention for their deep history and spiritual meaning.

Yumi FM Musik Awards: The 20th YUMI FM PNG Musik Awards turned emotional as late Daniel Bilip was posthumously crowned with four major honours, with his sister Sarah Bilip stepping on stage to accept the 2025 Justin Kili Award and also collect Song of the Year (twice) and Male Artist of the Year—an outpouring of love that followed his passing last year. Legacy & culture: The night’s spotlight also carried deeper roots, from the haunting story of Asaro Mudmen clay masks—born from legend, used in ceremony, and tied to ancestral spirits—to the ongoing push to keep PNG traditions visible. More award momentum: Duaks Band’s Peter Seske and Duaka Band’s Peter Saika were also honoured with Justin Kili Awards, while Tarvin Toune swept three major categories, proving this year’s stage is both remembrance and momentum. Sports & future talk: Off the awards floor, Connor Watson’s PNG Chiefs visit kept NRL transfer chatter alive, while PNG Chiefs leadership backed incoming coach Willie Peters as preparations for 2028 intensify.

Yumi FM Musik Awards: PNG’s music spotlight stayed bright at the 20th Yumi FM PNG Musik Awards, with Duaka Band’s Peter Saika honoured with the Justin Kili Award and the late Daniel Bilip also receiving the 2025 Justin Kili Award posthumously, accepted by his sister Sarah Bilip. Big night winners: Tarvin Toune cleaned up with three major awards, including Album of the Year for Come Back and top artist honours for Panu Panu with Blunt and 4bloodz. Milestone celebration: The awards officially kicked off at Lamana Gold Club as PNGFM marked two decades backing local talent, with the theme “From hauslain to the Stage” underlining the journey from village singing to national stages. Culture in the spotlight: The ceremony also drew support beyond music, including the National Censorship Board backing the awards as a platform for national messaging.

PNG Musik Awards Kickoff: Yumi FM’s 20th PNG Musik Awards officially launched at Lamana Gold Club, with PNGFM CEO Esther Gegelagi spotlighting two decades of backing local music and its growth. Health & Food Trend: A new “NiMe” diet story is making waves, pointing to rural PNG eating patterns as a possible way to fight chronic illness—no calorie counting, fasting, or supplements, just meals built around beans and vegetables. Military Training in Lae: 31 PNG Joint Forces Academy cadets ran a cordon-and-strike stability exercise at Sir Ignatius Kilage Sports Complex, marking the final field assessment before the last phase of training. Honours for Māori Leadership: Ngāi Te Rangi leader Charlie Tawhiao received an honorary doctorate in Māori Development, adding to a long record of governance and advocacy work. Sports on the Move: PNG fighter Tony Mitu Jnr heads to the Oceania Wushu Invitational Championships in Brisbane, aiming for his first international appearance representing PNG. Arts & Community: From Chris Kawage’s art journey after military service to the Doulos Hope floating library opening in Port Moresby, culture and learning keep finding new stages.

NRL Focus: Wayde Egan says the NSW Origin snub is “understandable” and he’ll keep his head down on Warriors duties, with only club form likely to bring him back into the Blues conversation. Commemoration & Screen Culture: PNG’s WWII remembrance continues to resonate, while A&E’s new Tom Hanks WWII documentary spotlights the era for a fresh TV audience. Martial Arts: Tony Mitu Jnr is off to Brisbane to represent PNG at the Oceania Wushu Invitational, contesting men’s 70kg Sanda—his first international trip and first PNG international appearance. Music Awards Momentum: Yumi FM’s 20th PNG Musik Awards are officially launched, with the National Censorship Board backing the event; Saturday’s night at Lamana Gold Club will also see Daniel Bilip’s sister Sarah represent him after his posthumous nominations. Business & Economy: At a POMCCI breakfast, senior economists flagged fuel stabilisation sustainability, kina stability, and how businesses can absorb rising costs. Digital Push: Australia signals a new connectivity push for PNG, aiming to unlock major growth through better telecoms and internet access.