The Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) has reinforced its commitment to developing women's rugby league by hosting the 2026 Santos Cup Coaches Conference in Port Moresby.

The two-day conference, held at Citi Boutique Hotel, brought together head coaches and assistant coaches from franchises across the country to participate in professional development sessions aimed at improving coaching standards in Papua New Guinea's premier women's rugby league competition.

PNG Rugby Football League Chief Operating Officer Tony Archer opened the conference, highlighting the importance of ongoing learning and adaptation as rugby league continues to evolve at both national and international levels.

Archer also led a review of the 2025 Santos Cup season, encouraging coaches to reflect on team performances, identify lessons learned, and prepare for the upcoming 2026 campaign.

"The Santos Cup remains the pinnacle of our female national domestic rugby league in Papua New Guinea, and investing in our coaches is investing in the future of the game," Archer said.

"Through initiatives like this conference, we are ensuring our coaches are equipped with the knowledge, tools and leadership skills required to develop players and strengthen women's rugby league throughout the country."

Conference sessions focused on key areas including game-day operations, physical performance standards, coaching philosophy, media engagement and the use of performance analysis software Hudl.

The opening day concentrated on competition management and high-performance requirements, while day two introduced coaches to modern video analysis techniques and player assessment tools at the National Football Stadium.

PNGNRLC Coaching Development Manager Stanley Gene said the conference was designed to help coaches grow both professionally and personally.

"Coaching is about more than preparing a team for game day. It's about developing people, creating positive environments, and helping players reach their full potential," Gene said.

The conference forms part of PNGNRLC's broader strategy to strengthen coaching pathways and enhance the quality of women's rugby league nationwide.