The Kaiviti Silktails have secured a significant three-year partnership with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Since their inception in 2020, the Silktails have participated in the Ron Massey Cup and have recently moved to the Jersey Flegg Cup, focusing on discovering and nurturing rugby league talent from Fiji.
In recent seasons, the Bulldogs have intensified their efforts in Fiji, especially after acquiring Fiji Bati International player Viliame Kikau. The launch of ‘The Kikau Academy’ has led to the Bulldogs fielding their Ron Massey Cup and Jersey Flegg teams in Fiji three times over the past year.
This new collaboration aligns with the Bulldogs’ representation in the upcoming 2025 Pacific Championships, which includes Fijian players Kikau, Kitione Kautoga, Jethro Rinakama, and Penioni Tagituimua, along with the Bulikula quartet of Ilisapeci Bari, Abigayle Sekitoga, Latisha Smythe, and Nanise Vakacavu. Additionally, the Bulldogs recently announced the return of Fijian international Marcelo Montoya for 2025.
Phil Gould AM, the General Manager of Football, expressed excitement over the partnership, emphasizing its potential to accelerate the development of Fijian talent in the NRL. “This is a groundbreaking partnership that will be pivotal in fostering rugby league in Fiji,” he stated. “We already have a strong Fijian presence at our club, led by Viliame Kikau in the NRL and Latisha Smythe in the NRLW, and we anticipate seeing this pathway thrive in the coming years.”
Peter Civoniceva, Chairman of the Kaiviti Silktails, praised the Bulldogs’ Pathways Program and shared enthusiasm for the new collaboration. He noted, “Our club is thrilled to partner with the Bulldogs, and there are countless reasons why this agreement is beneficial for us.” Civoniceva highlighted the Bulldogs’ successful NRL team’s rise and their effective Pathways Program as key factors in pursuing this partnership.
He added, “Given that a substantial Fijian ex-pat community resides in the Canterbury-Bankstown District, the Bulldogs’ active involvement in Fiji over the past two years was particularly impressive, and we appreciated Gus and Adam’s commitment during their recent meeting.”
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