MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PNG Sports Professionals Network officially launched.
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea | 20 July 2026
The Papua New Guinea Sports Professionals Network (PNGSPN) was officially launched on Friday, 17 July 2026, at the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby, marking the beginning of a new national platform dedicated to connecting, developing, and empowering the people behind sport in Papua New Guinea.
Founded by Mrs. Auvita Rapilla and Alex Davani, the Network has been established to bring together sports administrators, coaches, officials, executives, educators, sports scientists, medical professionals, volunteers, and other practitioners who contribute to Papua New Guinea’s sporting system.
PNGSPN has been created to foster greater connection, knowledge sharing, leadership, and collaboration across the sporting sector at a time when Papua New Guinea is entering what many believe will be a defining decade for sport.
Speaking at the launch, PNGSPN Chair and International Olympic Committee Member Mrs. Auvita Rapilla said the network had been created to strengthen the people behind sport and ensure they were better connected to seize the opportunities ahead.
“Papua New Guinea is entering a golden decade for sport. With the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, the PNG NRL franchise, and many regional and international opportunities ahead, this is the right time to invest not only in our athletes but also in the people who lead, manage, and support sport.”
Mrs. Rapilla said the network was built around four guiding principles: Connection, Capability, Knowledge Sharing and Enablement.
“The PNG Sports Professionals Network exists to uplift the people behind Papua New Guinea sport. It is about connecting and uplifting the administrators, coaches, officials, managers, educators, sports science and medical professionals, volunteers, and leaders whose work makes sporting success possible. When we strengthen the people behind sport, we strengthen sport itself.”
Mrs. Rapilla acknowledged the contribution of the PNGSPN Steering Committee and thanked the organizations that had supported the establishment of the Network.
“This network has been built through collaboration. I would like to sincerely thank my fellow Steering Committee members, Alex Davani and Milton Kisapai, whose commitment, strategic thinking, and hard work have helped turn this vision into reality.”
“I also extend my sincere appreciation to our founding partners—the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee, IBS University, the Australian High Commission, and Theodist. Your support has been instrumental in helping establish this network, and we look forward to continuing these partnerships as we grow.”
The launch was welcomed by Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee President Mrs. Emma Waiwai, who said the network complemented PNGOC’s long-standing commitment to developing people across the sporting movement.
“Strong teams are built on strong organizations, and strong organizations are built by capable people. The PNG Sports Professionals Network provides an important platform for sports administrators and professionals to connect, share knowledge, learn from one another, and continue building their capability across the sporting system.”
Mrs. Waiwai said the coming decade represented a significant opportunity for Papua New Guinea sports.
“Realizing these opportunities will require collaboration across the entire sporting sector. No single organization can do this alone. By bringing people together across sports, the Network will strengthen our sporting system and ultimately contribute to stronger performances for Team PNG and for sport throughout Papua New Guinea.”
The Network will initially bring sports professionals together through three core engagement streams: Leadership Conversations, Connect & Share knowledge sessions, and Networking Events—providing opportunities to build relationships, exchange practical experience, and collaborate across Papua New Guinea’s sporting sector.
PNGSPN also announced its founding agenda, which includes a national leadership conversation on How Sport Can Shape the Next 50 Years of Papua New Guinea, an industry forum on The Business of Sport in Papua New Guinea, and the inaugural PNG Sports Forum, planned for 2027.
The Network is open to those working in and around sport in Papua New Guinea. Those interested will have opportunities to attend events, contribute ideas, share knowledge, mentor others, and help shape the future direction of the network.
The PNG Sports Professionals Network website is now live and will serve as the network’s central hub for news, events, membership information, and future activities.
ENDS
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About the Papua New Guinea Sports Professionals Network
The Papua New Guinea Sports Professionals Network (PNGSPN) is a national professional network dedicated to connecting, developing, and empowering the people behind sport in Papua New Guinea.
Its vision is ‘To be Papua New Guinea’s most connected and influential platform for the people shaping the future of sport.’
The Network brings together sports administrators, coaches, officials, executives, educators, sports scientists, medical professionals, volunteers, and other practitioners to strengthen collaboration, share experience, and support the long-term development of sport throughout Papua New Guinea.
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Media Enquiries
Papua New Guinea Sports Professionals Network
Email: hello@pngsportsnetwork.com
Website: www.pngsportsnetwork.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, 28 August 2026
PNG Sports Professionals Network – Briefing on New Associations Incorporation Act & Income Tax Act
The PNG Sports Professionals Network (PNGSPN), in partnership with the Royal Papua Yacht Club (RPYC), hosted a briefing event on 27 August 2026, bringing sport administrators together to unpack the new Associations Incorporation Act and Income Tax Act on what it means for every incorporated sporting body in the country.
The session comes as PNG’s sporting associations face a major compliance deadline. The Associations Incorporation Act 2023 commenced on 1 July 2026, replacing the Associations Incorporation Act 1966. Existing incorporated associations have until 30 June 2027 to re-register under the new framework, which strengthens governance, transparency, and anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorist-financing safeguards.
Facilitated by Tamzin Wardley, Rear Commodore, and Amira Ward, Legal Adviser of the RPYC, attendees were taken through the practical implications for incorporated sporting bodies, including re-registration requirements, association subtype classification, committee and public-officer obligations, annual reporting, financial record keeping, and beneficial ownership requirements. The Act introduces clearer duties for committee members, including duties relating to care, diligence, skill, conflict disclosure, and good-faith conduct.
Participants were also made aware of the potential consequences of breaches, which can include significant fines and, in certain circumstances, imprisonment.
In reminding the participants to re-register before the deadline, PNGSPN Chair Auvita Rapilla said, “Sporting organizations have a responsibility to understand the regulatory environment in which they operate. These changes may appear complex, but it is important that federations and associations take the time to understand what is required of them, review their governance arrangements, seek professional advice where necessary, and act early.”
She added that stronger governance and compliance would contribute to a more credible, sustainable, and professional sporting sector.
The briefing also covered changes under PNG’s new Income Tax Act 2025. Associations were encouraged to seek professional tax advice or guidance from the Internal Revenue Commission on their own eligibility for any income tax exemption or concession.
For PNG’s sporting bodies, many run by volunteer committees with limited access to legal advice, the implications of these changes are significant. Getting governance and rules right isn’t just a compliance exercise; it protects committee members, strengthens organizational accountability, and safeguards an association’s ability to operate and access funding.
PNGSPN thanked the Royal Papua Yacht Club for its partnership and support in hosting the briefing and the sporting organizations and participants who attended and contributed to the discussion.
The PNG Sports Professionals Network plans to continue hosting sessions on governance, compliance, and professional development for those working across PNG sport.
ENDS
About the Papua New Guinea Sports Professionals Network
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The PNG Sports Professionals Network (PNGSPN) is a national network committed to connecting, supporting, and elevating the people behind sport in Papua New Guinea. PNGSPN believes that a strong, connected, and capable sports workforce is essential to the growth and success of sport and its contribution to sustainable and inclusive development. The Network brings together sports administrators, leaders, and practitioners to share knowledge, build capability, encourage collaboration, and strengthen the systems that support athletes, teams, and sporting organizations. This is achieved through professional networking, learning opportunities, mentoring, shared resources, and partnerships across the PNG sports community. To find out more, visit our website at www.pngsportsnetwork.com.
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Press Contact
Email: hello@pngsportsnetwork.com