Patrician Brother Thomas Rice, who used to work at Fairfield, now works on a mission in the Sandaun Province, the second poorest area in the country.

He organised the soccer competition for children because there were no activities or team sports to participate in.

''We run the competition each Friday with a coaching clinic for an hour, followed by two hours of competition catering for boys and girls,'' Brother Thomas said.

''It gives them a sense of pride, achievement and satisfaction and builds up their self-esteem.

''Most of them don't go to school because they can't afford it, so other agencies provide us with books.''

Bossley Park Sports Club member Rick Mattiuzzo initiated the southern district soccer community's involvement by collecting and shipping jerseys, shin pads, books, trophies and balls to Papua New Guinea.

The latest shipment arrived in June and Brother Thomas, who was in Sydney for World Youth Day, wanted to thank everyone involved.

''In a few weeks' time you will have many people advertising Mary Immaculate Primary School and Freeman College, not to mention the academies of sport from Mount Pritchard and Chipping Norton,'' he said.

Mr Mattiuzzo said that being able to send five pallets of goods in almost two years was testament to people's generosity.

''It makes me feel good because I worked [in Papua New Guinea] and some of them are lucky to have a shirt on their back,'' Mr Mattiuzzo said.

To donate: 0413 134 375 or email rilec@optusnet.com.au.