Sport in Papua New Guinea

Sport is an important part of Papua New Guinean culture. The national sport, although not official, is considered to be rugby league.

Other popular sports include most football codes (rugby union, soccer and Australian rules football), cricket, volleyball, softball, netball and basketball. Other Olympic sports are also gaining popularity including boxing and weightlifting.

Rugby league

:"See main:" Rugby league in Papua New Guinea.

Rugby league is the most popular sport in Papua New Guinea (especially in the highlands) which also unofficially holds the title as the "national sport". 50% of the population under 20 play rugby league. [ [http://www.rlwc08.com/teams/PapuaNewGuinea.aspx Rugby League World Cup 2008 Teams ] ]

In a nation where communities are far apart and many people live at a minimal subsistence level, rugby league has been described as a replacement for tribal warfare as a way of explaining the local enthusiasm for the game (a matter of life and death).Fact|date=September 2008

The annual Australian State of Origin matches are the most watched sporting event of the year.Fact|date=September 2008

Many Papua New Guineans have become instant celebrities by representing their country or playing in an overseas professional league. The West New Britain Rugby League player, Marcus Bai, is a national celebrity after he played for the National Rugby League with Melbourne Storm. Even Australian rugby league players who have played in the annual (Australian) State of Origin clash, which is celebrated feverishly every year in PNG, are among the most well known identities throughout the nation.

The Papua New Guinea national rugby league team usually play against the Australian national rugby league team each year in Port Moresby. It is such a popular fixture that thousands of people can't get into the ground once it's full, causing people to climb onto the stadium roof or up trees outside the ground in order to see the match. The limited capacity of the stadium for this fixture often sparks riots. Spectators clashed with riot police during this fixture in 2006.

The national competition is called the SP Cup and was initiated in 1990.

Australian rules football

:"See main:" Australian rules football in Papua New Guinea.

Australian Rules Football has experienced considerable growth over the past decade, now being Papua New Guinea's second most popular sport. Fact|date=March 2008 They also boast the second highest number of players in the world after Australia. Australian Rules Football was introduced by Australian soldiers during World War II but has gained popularity with the introduction of players at the top level into the AFL, including Mal Michael and James Gwilt.

The Papua New Guinea national Australian rules football team ('The Mosquitos') were crowned International champions in 2008 by defeating the previous title holders New Zealand. In 2008 they also lead the international copmetition in overall medal placings, having previously won Silver in both 2002 and 2005.

AFL-PNG is the governing body of the sport in Papua New Guinea.

Cricket

Cricket is traditionally popular in the Papuan provinces where the British had the most influence. In the Trobriand Islands cricket has become fused with the local culture and a game played with stones instead of a ball and unlimited fielders has developed. It was introduced in 1903 by Methodist missionaries, and has become a beloved sport there.

Rugby union

:"See main:" Rugby union in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea is a tier three rugby union playing nation. They began playing international rugby union in 1966 and have yet to make the Rugby World Cup. Teams from Papua New Guinea have competed in the Commonwealth games.

There are 8520 registered players of rugby union and 57 clubs. There are no registered senior female players.

The national side is ranked 54th in the world (as of 1 December 2006).

occer

Another major sport which has a part in the Papua New Guinea sporting landscape is Soccer.

In the FIFA world rankings for September 2008, Papua New Guinea are joint 200th and last. The country's highest ranking was 160 in June 2004. [http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=png/ Papua New Guinea section on FIFA site]

References