The Kaiviti Silktails have entered into a significant three-year partnership with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Founded in 2020, the Silktails initially participated in the Ron Massey Cup and have since progressed to the Jersey Flegg Cup, focusing on discovering and nurturing Rugby League talent from Fiji.
In recent years, the Bulldogs have shown a growing commitment to fostering the sport in Fiji, particularly following the acquisition of Fiji Bati International Viliame Kikau. Their initiative, known as ‘The Kikau Academy,’ has allowed the Club’s teams in the Ron Massey Cup and Jersey Flegg to visit Fiji three times within the past year.
This new alliance aligns with the Bulldogs’ strong roster of Fijian players expected to compete in the upcoming 2025 Pacific Championships, which includes Kikau and fellow Bati squad members Kitione Kautoga, Jethro Rinakama, and Penioni Tagituimua, along with Bulikula players Ilisapeci Bari, Abigayle Sekitoga, Latisha Smythe, and Nanise Vakacavu. Moreover, the Bulldogs recently announced the return of Fijian international Marcelo Montoya for the 2025 season.
Phil Gould AM, General Manager of Football, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasizing its potential to significantly enhance the development of Rugby League in Fiji. He stated, “This groundbreaking partnership will be pivotal in the growth of Rugby League throughout Fiji. We have a proud representation of Fijians at our Club, led by Viliame Kikau in the NRL and Latisha Smythe in the NRLW, and we’re eager to see this pathway thrive in the coming years.”
Kaiviti Silktails Chairman Peter Civoniceva also voiced his excitement regarding the partnership with the Bulldogs, noting the advantages of collaborating with their Pathways Program. “We are thrilled to be joining forces with the Bulldogs, and there were numerous reasons why this partnership made sense for us,” Civoniceva remarked. “The Bulldogs’ success in the NRL this season resonated with Rugby League fans, and that success has been supported by Phil Gould and Adam Hartigan’s efforts with their Pathways Program. Joining a robust program like theirs was crucial for us.”
Civoniceva highlighted the significant Fijian community in the Canterbury-Bankstown District of Sydney and praised the Bulldogs for their active involvement in Fiji over the past two years, underscoring the commitment shown by Gould and Hartigan during their recent meeting.
Leave a comment