Papua New Guinea's Gairo Voro Crowned Championship Player of the Year

Papua New Guinea stand-off Gairo Voro, who plays for the London Broncos, has been named Betfred Championship Player of the Year. He claimed the award at the Rugby League Awards Night in Manchester, beating Oldham's Josh Drinkwater and Doncaster's Connor Robinson. The shortlist was decided by a poll of the head coaches of the competition's 20 clubs. Voro was praised as a standout performer who was instrumental in London's League Leaders' Shield and 1895 Cup Final triumphs. The night also recognised Widnes Vikings' Allan Coleman as Championship Coach of the Year and Midlands Hurricanes' Sully Medforth as Young Player of the Year.

 Papua New Guinea's Gairo Voro Crowned Championship Player of the Year/Graphics London Broncos

Voro's numbers explain the award. His record for London stands at 37 tries and 56 goals in 30 league appearances, for 260 points. His biggest day came in July. He scored seven tries and 44 points in a 78-16 win over Hunslet, which broke the Broncos' club records for points and tries in a match. He was also a consistent match-winner earlier in the year. In April he took Man of the Match as London beat Sheffield Eagles 48-4.

He also played a big part in the club's first-place finish. London clinched the League Leaders' Shield with a 58-12 win over Halifax, the second championship in the club's history. In that match Voro crossed for two tries and landed seven goals. He also set up a try early on, sending Rob Mathias over. The Broncos' PNG contingent, including Kumuls fullback Morea Morea, was central to the season.

Voro's path to the top has not been easy. He lost his father at an early age and had limited schooling. When he joined the Hunters, he spoke neither English nor Tok Pisin, and he overcame that to become one of Papua New Guinea's emerging stars. He was born in Viriolo in the Abau District of Central Province. He first made his name with the Central Dabaris in the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup before moving to the PNG Hunters in the Queensland Cup. He later followed Kumuls coach Jason Demetriou to London.

Attention is now turning to his future. Voro will join the PNG Chiefs ahead of the 2028 NRL season, after reportedly turning down a deal with the Perth Bears for 2027. Demetriou has called him "serious talent" and said he is exactly the type of young player who can benefit from a PNG team in the NRL. For now, Papua New Guinea can celebrate one of its brightest young players being recognised in England.