Papua New Guinea made history this week when it saw its first woman graduate with an Australian Rugby League and PNG Rugby League Level 1 and 2 coaching certificates in Kokopo.
The Post Courier reports that Aiva Bualten is now the first PNG recognised woman coach in rugby league in the country.
Bualten's achievement came after attending a three-day coaching clinic for coaches and referees which was hosted by ARL experts Danny Holmes and Fred Lukas and both were assisted by PNG Kumuls coach Adrian Lam.
Holmes says he was very proud of Bualten and congratulated her on the achievement.
He says the ARL coaching and referees certificates is widely recognised and qualifies one to coach or be a referee anywhere in the world.
Bualten says she has learnt a lot and was thankful because all the men were supportive of her throughout the three-days of the clinic.
However, she says she knew it was going to be tough because rugby league was a male dominated sport in the country.
