Partners recommit to VRL

Law Partners Vanuatu has become the latest sponsor to re-commit to the Vanuatu Rugby League (VRL) for the upcoming international series.

Law Partners Principle Jonathan Law said “Law Partners are proud to continue sponsoring the VRL in 2013 following a very successful inaugural match against Greece in 2012.”

“Vanuatu is a special team of talented players and we can only foresee more success for the VRL in 2013 and onwards”.

With 2 major internationals being played in October, this is a significant boost for the VRL with preparations well and truly in the advanced stages. As part of the new agreement, Law Partners will again occupy the collar of the Vanuatu national rugby league team jersey, along with prominent signage on the training and leisure apparel.

VRL President Tom Carlo stated “We have had a great association with Jonathan and his team over the past 18 months.”

“We know the players are training exceptionally hard at present in preparation for the games in October. We hope to make Vanuatu and our sponsors like Law Partners proud.”

The Vanuatu national rugby league side is due to take on Solomon Islands in Mackay, Australia on October 5th and then return to Vanuatu to take on Niue in Port Vila. Tickets for the game against Niue will go on sale at the start of October, with tickets for the Mackay game now on sale through Mackay Entertainment Convention Centre www.mackayecc.com.au

Iconic Ni Vanuatu business comes on board two years running

Vanuatu Rugby League (VRL) has welcomed the re-signing of iconic The Kava Emporium as Gold Sponsor for the 2013-14 international seasons.

Vanuatu Rugby League President Tom Carlo said he was excited to have a home grown business as a key sponsor.

“This is good news for the VRL and we have valued The Kava Emporium’s eagerness to align with the VRL over the past 18 months.”

An inaugural sponsor of the Vanuatu national team in 2012, The Kava Emporium has seen significant brand awareness and sales as a result of the partnership with the VRL and will again adorn the playing and training apparel of the Vanuatu national team.

The Kava Emporium General Manager Rosella Hakwa said they were delighted to support the VRL.

“We have had a great relationship with the VRL and we are happy to recommit our sponsorship for another 12 months. The Kava Emporium is a flagship shop in Port Vila”.

The 2 game series in October, which will see Vanuatu play Solomon Islands in Mackay, Australia on Saturday 5th October and then the home international against Niue in Port Vila on Saturday 12th October, represents another significant opportunity for the VRL to showcase The Kava Emporium as a brand and also the products.
The Kava Emporium have been a proud stockist of Vanuatu national rugby league merchandise and will continue this relationship with the VRL by selling jerseys, t-shirts, singlets and polo’s at their Port Vila store.

Tickets for the Port Vila game will go on sale in the coming weeks while tickets for the Mackay game are currently on sale through Mackay Entertainment Convention Centre www.mackayecc.com.au

For more information on The Kava Emporium, visit www.thekavaemporium.com

The Vanuatu Rugby League (VRL) has welcomed the announcement of Westpac as the official VRL Platinum Sponsor.

The announcement of the twelve month deal was held at the Westpac Port Vila branch at the end of August where Westpac staff mingled with the Vanuatu national rugby league squad.

VRL President Tom Carlo said “It is great to be able to have Westpac support the VRL and we believe that our brand will continue to soar given this announcement.”

“Thanks to the team at Westpac for the tremendous assistance and welcome to the Vanuatu Rugby League team for 2013-14.”

Westpac Vanuatu Regional General Manager Jeff Byrne stated “it is great to be part of the journey of rugby league in Vanuatu”.

“The launch has certainly created a great buzz for our staff and general public who witnessed the new jerseys being unveiled”.

Westpac have committed to sponsor the VRL for the upcoming 2 matches that the national team are to play against Solomon Islands (October 5th in Mackay, Australia) and against Niue (October 12th at Municipal Stadium, Port Vila), as well as test matches that are being planned by the VRL for early/mid-2014.

The new playing, training and leisure apparel will be available for the general public to purchase over the coming week with details to be posted on the VRL’s Facebook page and this website

in lead up to Solomon Islands  Showdown

The Vanuatu Rugby League (VRL) has announced the playing squad for the upcoming international with the Solomon Islands in Mackay, Australia to be held at Virgin Australia Stadium on Saturday 5th October.

The squad features a number of players that represented Vanuatu last October against Greece, yet also a number of new faces who are eager to showcase their ability. Returning players include Alehana Mara, Javarn White, Jason Pakoasongi, Samuela Loaloadravu, Emosi Ugavule, Joe Meninga, Josh Tanner, Ben Titoko and Kalpat Steedman.

Also included to return to the national team is Robbie Congoo, who last wore national colours in the Cabramatta 9s in Sydney in February 2012. The local competitions are also well represented, with 5 players from Port Vila and 1 from Santo included in the 19 member squad. 12 of the 19 members of the squad were either born and or raised in Vanuatu.

Vanuatu will also have a new coach for 2013, with inaugural coach Dane Campbell stepping aside to allow David Simpson to guide the young national team. Campbell will assume a behind the scenes role with VRL.

David Simpson said he was excited to succeed Campbell in the coaching role.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for me personally and for the Vanuatu national team.”

“Not only do we have the opportunity to showcase our skills to the general public in Mackay, where there is a large South Sea population, but also to return to Port Vila to take on Niue on Saturday 12th October.”

The 19 member squad will go into camp in Mackay on Tuesday 1st October and will then be trimmed to a match day 17 on the Friday prior to the game.

The game in Mackay is being promoted as a commemoration of the Black Birding period some 150 years ago.

The full squad for the international against Solomon Islands on Saturday 5^th October at Virgin Australia Stadium is:

Saturday 12^th October is set to host an epic Pacific showdown with the first ever Vanuatu versus Niue rugby league match.

Vanuatu Rugby League founder Dane Campbell said the “Battle of the Pacific” is a great achievement for the Vanuatu Rugby League (VRL).”

“The game against Niue will be a huge event.  We are very much looking forward to having them in Port Vila. ”

“Both teams have a number of talented players and I personally believe that this game will be as well contested as it is attended!”

Vanuatu are due to play Solomon Islands in Mackay, Australia on Saturday 5th October, which is a game that is being staged to commemorate the “Black Birding” period 150 years ago.

The Municipal Stadium in Port Vila will again be the venue for the game and an anticipated capacity crowd of 5,000 is expected to come out and support their national heroes against the bigger Niue team.

The Vanuatu team will arrive in Port Vila on Wednesday 9th October and will be visiting schools and communities in the lead up to the game. The curtain raiser game will feature a Port Vila representative side taking on a representative side from Luganville, in a match that will be fiercely contested also and set the tone for a great afternoon of rugby league action.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public in early September.