About Us

Background

Due to the introduction of PNG players into Super League, Co-operative Championship and Championship 1 squads, there has been a lot of interest shown in the culture of PNG and also vice versa, with their heroes playing in this country.

At Sheffield we introduced two players to this country. Trevor Exton a competent second-rower, who played for Ipswich Jets in Australia, was the first overseas player Mark Aston signed. Then there was Menzie Yere, a hard-hitting centre; who apart from internationals had played all his rugby league games within PNG.

We have a lot of people in PNG showing interest in Menzie, this seems to be down to his status within the Pacific island.

Papua New Guinea is the only country where Rugby League is the National Sport.

Last year Menzie bought two pairs of rugby boots every month and posted them back to PNG, for players less fortunate than himself. At the end of the season, he begged and also bought shirts to take back to PNG, to give to people of his country.

Initiative

From these simple gestures and holding conversations with Menzie, it became apparent that the RFL and all the rugby fraternity in general could do a lot to help this third world country.

What we proposed to do was take a leaf out of what Sheffield Football Club (the oldest football club in the world) had successfully done previously with their ‘Boots for Africa’ appeal.

But our idea was not only to supply boots, but also shirts, to contacts in PNG that will oversee the fair distribution of these items to this third world country.

Both the RFL and the Papua New Guinea High Commission have both endorsed this appeal.

What we are proposing

Firstly we gained support from the RFL and the PNG High Commission, in the form of credibility for this project.

We would also like a contribution of used kits, tracksuits, bibs, balls, etc.

A monetary contribution towards the shipping costs, container, etc.

We would also like Memorabilia to sell, towards the expense of getting this project under way.

We would like each Super League, Co-Operative Championship and Championship 1 to give their old kits as well as amateur clubs and individuals.

Sheffield Eagles RLFC and Menzie Yere will get no monetary gain from this venture.