The Canberra Raiders will use their round 22 match against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks to leverage support of the Kokoda Track Foundation, to continue the wellbeing and future of the Papua New Guinean people.
2017 marks the 75th anniversary of the Kokoda Campaign and significant battles fought in Papua, with the Raiders and the Sharks using Saturday’s match to assist in the awareness of the Kokoda Track Foundation.
The Sharks will wear and then auction off special jerseys to commemorate the anniversary and raise money for the foundation, with the two clubs observing a moments silence at the beginning of the game to further pay tribute to the men and women who lost their lives defending the track during the second world war.
Both competing Clubs have lodged an application to NRL CEO Todd Greenberg requesting an annual “Kokoda Challenge” fixture. The intent for both clubs would be an endorsed annual fixture with alternating hosting rights to be played during the NRL ANZAC Round and/or in the July/August period of the NRL fixtures, due to the significance of the battle of Kokoda. More than 600 Australians were killed and some 1680 were wounded in what some believe was the most significant battle fought by Australians during World War II.
About the Kokoda Track Foundation
The Kokoda Track Foundation exists to improve the wellbeing and futures of the Papua New Guinean people by assisting with education and healthcare, by respecting customs and the environment, by improving livelihoods, by fostering the next generation of leaders, and by keeping the story of Kokoda alive.
The key projects include: teacher training, health infrastructure, micro businesses and a leadership program.
Information taken from the Kokoda Track Foundation web page here.
