Excitement followed the announcement of a $600m deal for a team from Papua New Guinea to enter the NRL from 2028, but an issue yet to be addressed is how the game intends to reconcile its stance on inclusivity with the fact homosexuality is illegal in the Pacific nation.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his PNG counterpart James Marape were front and centre alongside ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys to unveil the deal to establish the new team, which came with a distinct geopolitical element.
On top of the to-do list will be ensuring safety for players and their families who choose to make the move to Port Moresby, where the team will be based, building a high-performance centre, establishing a proper pathways program and agreeing on club colours, team name and logo.
But the NRL will also need to explain to the competition newcomers why the game is passionate about making all participants feel safe, including members of the LGBTQI+ community.
On its website, the governing body lists inclusivity as one of its core values, stating it is driven by “engaging and empowering everyone to feel welcome in our game; reaching out to new participants and supporters; promoting equality of opportunity in all its forms; respecting and celebrating diversity in culture, gender, sexuality and social background”.
Sexual relations between men in Papua New Guinea are illegal and carry a maximum sentence of 14 years in jail.
Ian Roberts is eager to address the issue of sexuality with players from Papua New Guinea, where it is still illegal to be homosexual.Credit: Wolter Peeters
Reports in June last year suggested a bill would be put before the Papua New Guinean parliament to legitimise LGBTQI+ rights, but Marape – via the country’s Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council – was quick to dash hopes of a change in the government’s position.
“There is no bill with our government to promote gays and lesbians in the country,” he said. “Neither will there be any promotion of gays and lesbians under my watch. People’s sexual preferences are within their individual rights of choice, but our government will not be promoting this matter or be seen to be legitimising gay or lesbian rights in PNG.”
The NRL has actively run wellbeing programs for all clubs and players at all levels of the game that address issues about respect and sexuality. It remains to be seen if the same programs and values will be introduced to the Papua New Guinean players.
When contacted about the matter, the NRL said it would not comment. Papua New Guinea league officials were contacted for comment but had not responded by the time of publication.
‘This is where sport can really move an issue forward.’
Ian Roberts
Ian Roberts, who remains the only openly gay Australian rugby league player in the past 30 years, was aware homosexuality was illegal in Papua New Guinea but said he was eager to work with their players to discuss inclusion and diversity.
“This is where sport can really move an issue forward,” Roberts told this masthead. “I knew [homosexuality] was illegal in PNG, and internationally, that is not uncommon.
“But I’m really happy PNG are joining the NRL competition. And I am more than happy to speak to their players about inclusion and diversity and belonging. The NRL already runs programs for all the clubs about inclusivity, and it will be no different for PNG.
“Culturally, I know it can be difficult [for their players]. But I am always open to having conversations, and there’s no judgment here. People on my side of the conversation have to understand other people’s misunderstandings.”
Roberts said he had worked with women’s teams and said he felt “fraudulent speaking to them” because of how progressive they were about their views on sexuality, but with the men, there was still that sense of “awkwardness”. The need to address sexuality, Roberts said, was all about “saving kids’ lives” and making sure men and women who identified as gay were not ashamed.
Acceptance of the gay community in rugby league was a hot topic in 2022 after Manly announced plans to wear a Pride jersey, only for seven of their own players to boycott wearing it because of their religious beliefs.
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.