Women's rugby league is continuing to break barriers in the country, with the Santos Cup providing more than just a pathway to elite competition—it is creating opportunities for women and girls to lead, compete and inspire the next generation.

Launching the third season of the Santos Cup, Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNG NRLC) Chairman Adrian Chow said the competition has become a key platform for promoting gender equality while developing female athletes and leaders in the country's national sport.

"We are building not just the competition, we are transforming our national sport into a truly inclusive platform for excellence," Chow said.

He said the Santos Cup had evolved into the country's premier women's rugby league competition, strengthening pathways for female players while also increasing women's representation in coaching, management and leadership positions.

Acting Australian High Commissioner Adrian Loughran said the Australian Government was proud to support the competition through the PacificAus Sports initiative because of its impact beyond the playing field.

"It is a platform for gender equality, but more than that it is a platform that women and girls can aspire to be involved in," Loughran said.

"The six captains here today are an inspiration not only to women and girls in Papua New Guinea but also to men and boys."

Santos Country Chair Leon Buskins said empowering women through rugby league was about creating lasting change across communities.

"Rugby league has a unique ability to unite people, inspire future generations and create opportunities for young people—not just girls, but also boys and families," Buskins said.

He described the six team captains as pioneers who were changing perceptions and creating opportunities for future generations of female athletes.

"You are pioneers, you are game changers. The young girls growing up today will look up to you and be inspired by what you are achieving."

The 2026 Santos Cup season will feature six franchise teams competing over eight regular rounds before a two-week finals series, while continuing to strengthen women's participation, leadership and professional development in rugby league.

Organisers say the competition remains central to PNG Rugby Football League's gender equality strategy, which focuses on increasing participation, creating leadership opportunities for women and ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for female athletes.

The launch also acknowledged the continued support of Santos, the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports, Kumul Mineral Holdings Limited, Digicel and other partners, whose investment continues to expand opportunities for women and girls through rugby league in Papua New Guinea.