In this bulletin:
1. RUGBY — Fijian Drua urged to do it for affected fans
2. FOOTBALL — FIFA pushes for more women in football as Pacific teams chase World Cup dream
3. SPORT PATHWAYS — New funding to open sporting pathways for Cook Islands children with autism
4. FOOTBALL — Bilums off to Oceania World Cup qualifiers
5. TENNIS — PNG Junior stars leave for Pacific Championships
6. RUGBY LEAGUE — PNG Rugby League acknowledges work by Gene
7. RUGBY — Terita, McGregor return as Australia Sevens confirm squads for World Championship opener
8. RUGBY LEAGUE — Preston powers Bulldogs to stunning upset over Panthers 32- 16
9. RUGBY LEAGUE — ‘Lightning in a bottle’: Bears unveil lofty goal as NRL descends on Perth
10. IOC — Olympic Movement loses Sir Craig Reedie
FIJI – RUGBY: FBC SPORTS PACNEWS: Fri 10 Apr 2026
Fijian Drua urged to do it for affected fans
NADI, 10 APRIL 2026 (FBC SPORTS) —This has been a difficult week for the Fijian Drua and its fans in the western division as many were affected by Tropical Cyclone Vaianu.
Even the Drua’s preparations were affected but head coach Glen Jackson is hoping many fans will turn up tomorrow.
Jackson says they have a lot to play for this weekend and will need to deliver for its 16th man.
The Drua head coach also says fans love to support a winning team.
“It’s a good reason to play good rugby for them obviously with the destruction that’s been going on here, something we want to do is support rugby and a winning team, hopefully the boys put some pride into the jersey play for the country in a time when everyone is recovering and cleaning up and we want a great game for them and make sure the fans enjoy it”.
Meanwhile, former Drua assistant coach who is now part of the Western Force coaching staff, Brad Harris, says the hosts may be hurting from two losses on the road but they’ll surely turn up a different side tomorrow.
Harris who is the Force defense coach, was also an assistant to Simon Raiwalui for the Flying Fijians at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
He says the two recent successive losses for the Drua were against two tough teams.
The Drua hosts Western Force at Churchill Park in Lautoka Saturday…..PACNEWS
PAC – FOOTBALL: PMN PACNEWS: Fri 10 Apr 2026
FIFA pushes for more women in football as Pacific teams chase World Cup dream
AUCKLAND, 10 APRIL 2026 (PMN)–Women’s football is entering a new phase, with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) introducing tough new rules to increase female representation.
The decision comes as Pacific Island nations compete for a place on the world stage.
From this year, every team at FIFA women’s tournaments must include at least one female head coach or assistant coach, alongside female medical staff, and officials on the bench.
The move is aimed at tackling the lack of women in top coaching roles despite the rapid growth of the women’s game.
“There are simply not enough women in coaching today,” FIFA’s Chief Football Officer, Jill Ellis, said in a statement. “We must do more to accelerate change by creating clearer pathways, expanding opportunities, and increasing the visibility for women on our sidelines.”
There is no single official figure for female footballers in the Pacific, but the number is in the tens of thousands, with New Zealand accounting for the largest share.
Participation is growing quickly across Oceania, driven by development programmes and increased investment in the women’s game.
That global push comes as the race for the 2027 Women’s World Cup heats up in the Pacific.
The new rules will apply across all major competitions, including youth tournaments and the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil in 2027.
FIFA says the change is part of a long-term plan to grow the women’s game both on and off the pitch, backed by funding, training and mentorship programmes for female coaches worldwide.
That global push comes as the race for the 2027 Women’s World Cup heats up in the Pacific.
Oceania has one direct spot at the tournament, and the battle is now down to the final stage of qualifying.
Eight teams took part in Round Two earlier this year, with matches played in the Solomon Islands and Fiji. The top sides have now moved through to Round Three, which will be played in Aotearoa this month.
The final four teams will meet in a knockout format, with semi-finals followed by a final to decide who qualifies for the World Cup. The runner-up will still have a second chance through the inter-confederation play-offs.
New Zealand showed their strength in earlier rounds with dominant wins, while Papua New Guinea also impressed, topping their group with strong performances.
Other Pacific teams, including Fiji, Sāmoa, and American Sāmoa, have also had moments of success, highlighting the growing depth of women’s football in the region.
Round Three matches were set to take place this week, but some fixtures have been postponed, with updated schedules expected soon.
For Pacific teams, the stakes are high: a place at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, the biggest stage in women’s football.
And with FIFA now pushing for more women in leadership, the spotlight is not just on the players, but also on who is guiding them from the sidelines.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup will be held in Brazil from 24 June to 25 July 2027. ….PACNEWS
COOKS – SPORT PATHWAYS: RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS: Fri 10 Apr 2026
New funding to open sporting pathways for Cook Islands children with autism
RAROTONGA, 10 APRIL 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC)—Autism Cook Islands says a lack of inclusive programmes leaves local families believing their children with autism cannot play sports.
The organisation said they want to break barriers and make sport more inclusive for youth with disabilities.
Last week, Autism Cook Islands became a recipient of Australia’s ‘Play for Equity Fund’, an initiative that grants up to AUD$15,000 (US$10,5440 to people across the region who are using sport as a platform for inclusion and empowering marginalised communities.
Autism Cook Islands programme manager Kat Jensen told Cook Islands Television they want to open sporting pathways to their students with autism.
“Right now in our islands, young people with disabilities don’t get the same chances to play, compete, or even be seen in sport,” Jensen said.
“”There are few inclusive programs and almost no trained coaches. Many families just assume that sport is not for their child. That’s the barrier we want to break.”
She said the Play for Equity Fund will support the “breaking of this barrier”.
“It’s encouraging to get more students with disabilities into sports, so we will be using that funding to get more of our students into sports, working with local sporting codes and running sporting programs this year.”
In October last year, three athletes with autism travelled to Brisbane to compete at the Virtus World Athletics Championships.
They made history as the first-ever Cook Islands team to participate – and won four medals in the Oceania category.
The team coach Craig Murray shared how special the achievement was.
“This was the first time I brought those two worlds together, sport and autism, taking our three athletes to the Virtus athletic champs, was life changing for me, when we give them the tools, the sport and the belief our boys shine, inclusive sport isn’t just about therapy, it’s leadership, it’s visibility, and It’s a whole bunch of joy.”
The team won gold and silver in the Oceania men’s discus, and silver and bronze in shotput.
Athletics Cook Islands president Simone Fe’ao said their victory is about more than the medals.
“We came away with four medals, but the real win was their confidence, their sense of belonging and their joy in representing their country.”
Jensen said the Brisbane Virtus Athletics Champs is just the beginning.
“What we realised from that is that there’s absolutely pathways for our students in sports. You know, the growth that they got from that trip, from being away from home for the first time, away from their parents, their growth, their joy and representing their country.
“What we want to do is get more of our students into sports and have more of our students representing the Cook Islands.”
Autism Cook Islands is one of 24 grantees from across the Pacific region receiving funding from Australia.
One other Cook Islands NGO, Korero O Te Orau has been awarded the Play for Equity Fund, to support sports development on Pukapuka, one of the countries most remote islands….PACNEWS
PNG – FOOTBALL: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS: Fri 10 Apr 2026
Bilums off to Oceania World Cup qualifiers
PORT MORESBY, 10 APRIL 2026 (THE NATIONAL) —The Papua New Guinea national women footballers yesterday left for New Zealand for their Fifa Women’s World Cup Oceania Qualifiers semi-final against American Samoa on Sunday, 12 April.
The PNG Bilums will play the Samoans at the FMG Stadium Waikato, aiming for a place in the grand final on April 15 at the North Harbour Stadium.
Victory on Sunday will see PNG progress to the final, where they will meet the winners of Fiji and New Zealand in a decisive clash for qualification to the Fifa Women’s World Cup 2027.
The winners will secure direct entry to the global showpiece, while the runners-up will advance to the intercontinental play-off for another opportunity to reach the World Cup.
Head coach Ericson Komeng expressed confidence in his team, saying right now he has one of the best female teams in PNG.
He said if they can put their minds together, they will go all the way and create history.
“We came back from Fiji after the second round of challenge with a very healthy squad and, for the last three weeks, we’ve been preparing and are fully ready to face American Samoa,” he said.
“It’s all up to them; but I know they will put up a strong challenge in the semi-final.
“If they can play as a team under the leadership of (Padio) Ramona, and deliver a smooth game with good team work wrapped around that hunger for victory, we can go all the way.”
Komeng said the girls know and understand how important this semi-final is; saying another opportunity at a World Cup qualifier may never resurface.
“There are two spots in the qualifier. If we lose the grand final match, we have the inter-continental play-off, but our main focus is on how well we can play as a team against American Samoa, which will then help us build into the grand final match against either New Zealand or Fiji,” he said.
Komeng thanked PNG Football Association, friends, families and fans for their continued support towards the team and asked them to rally behind the Bilums as they go into battle for a spot in the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Brazil…..PACNEWS
PNG – TENNIS: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS: Fri 10 Apr 2026
PNG Junior stars leave for Pacific Championships
PORT MORESBY, 10 OCTOBER 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—The Papua New Guinea’s Kumul Petroleum Junior Tennis squad left for the Pacific Oceania Junior Championships (POJC) in Fiji, set to start today and end on 18 April8.
The team has a total of 10 players comprising six Under-12s, two Under-14s and two Under-16s – who will compete in a non-stop tennis competition over the next few days.
The players have been in training since their return from the Solomon Islands in January, putting in the work and they are excited to compete in the POJC with anticipation for a great start to the event.
Coach Eddie Mera said the kids will represent the West Pacific along with teammates from Vanuatu, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and New Caledonia against other countries from the East and North Pacific.
“We’re looking to dominate again like we did last year, so we’re hoping to get our players to play well and possibly get the same results or even better than last year – where PNG finished sixth out of 15 countries in the West Pacific,” he said…..PACNEWS
PNG – RUGBY LEAGUE: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS: Fri 10 Apr 2026
PNG Rugby League acknowledges work by Gene
PORT MORESBY, 10 APRIL 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—A nationwide coaching workshop led by Stanley Gene has wrapped up successfully, with the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) confirming major progress in developing coaches and match officials ahead of this year’s Digicel ExxonMobil Cup season.
PNGRFL general manager for pathways and performance, Tony Archer, said the programme was a major boost for local coaches, particularly new and emerging mentors in the competition.
“It’s such valuable work. We’ve got a number of young coaches coming into the game, and that’s great,” Archer told The National.
He highlighted Gene’s one-on-one sessions with coaches across all 12 franchises as a key factor in improving their skills.
“For him to work with them individually and help develop them is critical. It’s a great part of what we at PNGRFL are doing; upskilling everyone, not just running programmes ourselves but helping clubs grow.”
Archer said Gene’s wealth of experience in rugby league makes a significant difference.
“He’s done everything in rugby league, so for him to give back his time to clubs will only improve our football at every level.”
At the same time, PNGRFL has intensified efforts to lift refereeing standards across all competitions.
Archer confirmed that all referees are now fully accredited and have completed training programs.
Support has been strengthened with the addition of Australian referees coach Greer Beck, who is working part-time to guide local officials…..PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY: RUGBY.COM.AU PACNEWS: Fri 10 Apr 2026
Terita, McGregor return as Australia Sevens confirm squads for World Championship opener
SYDNEY, 10 APRIL 2026 (RUGBY.COM.AU)—The Men’s and Women’s Sevens squads have made the lone change ahead of the opening round of the SVNS World Championship in Hong Kong from April 17.
It marks the 50th anniversary of the famous event, while kicking off the three-leg championship that will also take place in Valladolid and Bordeaux, expanding to three-day, 12-team events.
Bienne Terita and James McGregor make their return to the squads, with both teams finishing in the top three during the regular season.
The Women will open their campaign against South Africa (17 April, 2:25 pm AEST), who took out the SVNS 2 title, then face Great Britain and Canada.
Coach Tim Walsh enjoys the luxury of a near-full strength team to pick from, with only Charlotte Caslick (pregnancy) unavailable.
“We head off to Round One of the World Championships in iconic Hong Kong – the traditional home of Rugby Sevens,” Walsh said.
“The first six legs have provided the squad with a lot of confidence and belief of performing well.
“The Black Ferns obviously go in as favourites but we will only be looking towards our pool games with South Africa emerging from the SVNS 2 Championship, the ever-improving Great Britain and then Paris silver medallists Canada.”
Meanwhile, the Men will face the returning Kenya (7:56 pm), the USA and New Zealand, with James Turner set for his 25th event.
“We’re excited to start the World Championships at the home of Rugby Sevens in Hong Kong,” coach Liam Barry said.
“It’s a competition restart after six regular rounds and with four additional teams that now adds another layer of pressure to play well and qualify for the World Series in 2027.
“We’ve got a relatively fit and available squad to choose from and the non-selected players will get game time through the Hong Kong 10s played earlier in the week.”
The top eight teams will qualify for SVNS 1 in 2026-27, with the bottom four teams relegated to SVNS 2.
Every round of the HSBC SVNS World Championships will be shown exclusive, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport.
Australia Women’s Sevens team for 2026 HSBC SVNS World Championships Hong Kong:
2. Amahli Hala – 7 events
3. Faith Nathan – 38 events
5. Teagan Levi – 30 events
6. Madison Ashby (c) – 31 events
8. Kaitlin Shave – 12 events
9. Tia Hinds – 27 events
10. Isabella Nasser (c) – 23 events
12. Maddison Levi – 32 events
13. Heidi Dennis – 11 events
15. Kahli Henwood – 10 events
22. Bienne Terita – 20 events
55. Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea – 15 events
65. Sariah Paki – 40 events
Australia Men’s Sevens team for 2026 HSBC SVNS World Championships Hong Kong:
1 Henry Hutchison (c) – 65 events
2. Ben Dowling – 26 events
3. James McGregor – 6 events
4. Dietrich Roache – 33 events
7. Josh Turner – 43 events
10. Ben Dalton – 15 events
11. Maurice Longbottom – 51 events
13. Jayden Blake – 12 events
14. James Turner – 24 events
23. Aden Ekanayake – 13 events
33. Harry Wilson – 6 events
49. Archie Saunders – 2 events
77. Wallace Charlie – 7 events
Players unavailable for selection
Will Cartwright (shoulder) – 2026/2027 season
Charlotte Caslick (pregnancy) – 2026/2027 season
Henry Paterson (knee) – 2026/2027 season …. PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: NRL PACNEWS: Fri 10 Apr 2026
Preston powers Bulldogs to stunning upset over Panthers 32- 16
SYDNEY, 10 APRIL 2026 (NRL)—The Bulldogs flew out of the blocks with three tries inside the first 20 minutes and then withstood a strong challenge from the Panthers before coming away with an upset 32-16 win at Accor Stadium on Thursday night.
Coming off back-to-back losses the Bulldogs went in as underdogs but a raucous home crowd cheered Cameron Ciraldo’s men on to one of their best wins in recent seasons.
Blues Origin hopeful Jacob Preston was a powerhouse for the Bulldogs on the right edge while Sitili Tupouniua trampled defenders for fun as he racked up 127 metres from 10 runs while both men helped themselves to a four-pointer.
The Panthers had been the talk of the NRL after a stunning start to 2026 but they had an off night with 15 errors as the Bulldogs suffocated Nathan Cleary and gave Blaize Talagi nightmares as they sent traffic his way all game.
Viliame Kikau at his explosive best on the left edge as he takes the ball 20 metres out and gets rid of Isaah Yeo with a big fend and crosses for his first try of the season. Matt Burton misses the conversion. Bulldogs 4-0
Connor Tracey gets across the line but an obstruction by Jacob Preston rules out the ‘try’ and the Panthers come away on the back of a penalty.
The Bulldogs earn a repeat set after Matt Burton gets a kick into the in-goal and Brian To’o can’t make it out.
Bulldogs Sean O’Sullivan is the last man to come out of the squad 90 minutes before kick-off with Jethro Rinakama added to the six-man bench in No.23. Bronson Xerri is back for his first game since Round 1 in Vegas, taking over from skipper Stephen Crichton (shoulder). Prop Harry Hayes joins the interchange after his return from concussion was delayed last week.
The Panthers are 1-19 with no late changes. Three-time premiership winner Mitch Kenny is back from suspension for superstar halfback Nathan Cleary’s 200th NRL game.
The Bulldogs have won only one of their past 10 games against the Panthers.
Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored 13 tries in 15 games at Accor Stadium.
Bulldogs second-rower Jacob Preston has scored five tries in his last three games against the Panthers.
Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary will make his 200th NRL appearance.
The Bulldogs have conceded 126 points in four consecutive losses at Accor Stadium….PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: NRL PACNEWS: Fri 10 Apr 2026
‘Lightning in a bottle’: Bears unveil lofty goal as NRL descends on Perth
PERTH, 10 APRIL 2026 (NRL)—Perth Bears CEO Anthony De Ceglie has outlined the ambitious goal to sell out every home game in club’s inaugural season as excitement builds for the team’s entry into the NRL.
Rugby league fans will get a brief glimpse of the growing anticipation for the Bears’ 2027 arrival when Optus Stadium hosts a double-header on Saturday afternoon.
The Rabbitohs will take on the Raiders before Cronulla faces the Roosters in what will be two high quality contests between premiership contenders.
The Bears will call the rectangular HBF Park home, but there have been conversations about hosting showcase games at the 60,000 seat Optus Stadium throughout 2027.
A big crowd is expected at this week’s double-header and De Ceglie said it is only a sign of things to come in the coming years.
“We feel we have lightning in a bottle over here,” De Ceglie told NRL.com. “The rugby league community is much bigger than people think. We can’t wait for the Perth Bears to start.
“The metrics are looking fantastic for what will be an incredibly exciting entry into the competition in 2027. We’re really bullish on the fact we can sell out every game at HBF Park.”
De Ceglie has worked closely with Bears coach Mal Meninga to assemble the inaugural squad and the roster is slowly starting to take shape.
Former Bulldogs halfback Toby Sexton was the first signing, while Storm playmaker Tyran Wishart has also joined the club.
Premiership-winning Penrith duo Scott Sorensen and Liam Henry will bring punch up front, with Emarly Bitungane and Nick Meaney to provide strike out wide.
Meninga is searching far and wide to build his team and has signed multiple players from the UK Super League. The coach is also exploring players from South Africa and the Pacific as he looks to silence the doubters in 2027.
“We’re always looking to play finals,” Meninga said. “We don’t set out to fail. Finals is always the goal and we want to achieve something. With the competitive nature of our game, you’ve always got to have high expectations and high goals of what you want to achieve.
“We’re currently building out our elite pathways and development programs. Not only in WA, but also with our affiliates the North Sydney Bears and Brisbane Tigers.
“We’ve also taken a global approach to it all. We’re closer to the UK and we’ve already got players out of there, South Africa is a target for us and we’re looking to make inroads around the Pacific as well.
“As a football department we’re focused on building our top squad but also on building a strong pathways program that gives us long-term sustainability.”
Excitement is building in Perth with the Bears first official game now less than a year away.
The club’s arrival has already had a positive effect on community participation rates, while officials are planning to use a number of showpiece events to generate further momentum.
Fans who attend Saturday’s double-header will have the first chance to get their hands on new merchandise. The inaugural jersey will be unveiled when Melbourne take on Manly at HBF Park on August 8, before memberships are launched later this year.
Perth will also host two World Cup matches in October, with the Bears to have a presence at the games.
De Ceglie doesn’t shy away from the volume of work still to be completed but is taking confidence from the early signs on the ground.
“This is a blank sheet of paper and it’s a national sporting franchise but it’s also a startup,’ De Ceglie said. “The football department is finishing off our recruitment and putting coaching plans in place.
“We’re working with our affiliate clubs in North Sydney and the Brisbane Tigers, we’re working with the local NRLWA and we also have a major infrastructure project.
“We’re looking forward to moving into the WACA in a brand new training facility at the Waterbank in Perth. It’s an iconic location which has become a big symbol for the NRL in this state because for the first time in the heart of the city in a prominent location you can see NRL goalposts and not AFL goalposts.
“We’ve got lots going on but we’ve got a brilliant team and everyone’s working day and night to bring this to fruition,” he said ……PACNEWS
UN – IOC: INSIDE THE GAMES PACNEWS: Fri 10 Apr 2026
Olympic Movement loses Sir Craig Reedie
LAUSANNE, 10 APRIL 2026 (INSIDE THE GAMES)—-The former World Anti-Doping Agency president and IOC vice-president has died aged 84, the International Olympic Committee confirmed on Monday, prompting tributes to one of modern sport’s most influential figures.
Sir Craig Reedie led WADA from 2014 to 2019 and held several senior positions in international sport, including IOC vice-president, chief of the Badminton World Federation and chairman of the British Olympic Association. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1999, knighted in 2006 and later awarded Knight Grand Cross (GBE) in 2018.
A former international badminton player who represented Great Britain in the 1960s, Reedie moved into sports governance, first as secretary and later as president of the Scottish Badminton Union. In 1981, he became head of the international federation and led the successful campaign to include badminton in the programme of the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games.
He joined the IOC in 1994 and served on its Executive Board from 2009 to 2012 before being elected vice-president, a role he held until 2016. During his tenure, he served on several IOC commissions, including marketing, the Olympic programme, ethics, evaluation of the Beijing 2008 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and coordination of Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
Reedie also chaired the British Olympic Association from 1992 to 2005, helping London secure the 2012 Olympic Games despite Paris being considered the favourite. He later served as chief executive of the London 2012 Organising Committee from 2005 to 2012. In 2023, he was awarded the Olympic Order during the IOC’s 141st Session in Mumbai.
The Scottish sports administrator, elected WADA’s third president in 2013, led the agency during one of its most challenging periods, marked by the exposure of systemic doping manipulation in Russia. “With the passing of Sir Craig, we have lost a true gentleman and a defender of integrity in sport,” said current WADA President Witold Bańka, who succeeded him in 2020.
In tribute, the Olympic flag will be flown at half-mast for three days at Olympic House in Lausanne. “Sir Craig Reedie dedicated his entire life to the service of sport and the Olympic Movement,” said IOC President Kirsty Coventry.
“He was an unwavering advocate for integrity, guiding the global sports community through some of its most difficult moments with dignity and determination. His contribution to the Olympic Games, to the integrity of sport and to the development of athletes worldwide will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come,” she added.
Reedie played a central role in securing the 2012 Games for London. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, who led the London bid, paid tribute to his “mentor, wise counsellor, passionate adviser and great friend”.
“Without Craig and his leadership within the British Olympic Association, which he chaired from 1992 to 2005, we might never have secured the right to host the London Games,” Coe concluded. …PACNEWS
