The Kaiviti Silktails have finalized a significant three-year partnership with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Founded in 2020, the Silktails initially joined the Ron Massey Cup under the NSWRL and have since moved to compete in the Jersey Flegg Cup, focusing on discovering and nurturing Rugby League talent from Fiji.
In recent years, the Bulldogs have strengthened their ties to Fijian rugby, particularly following the signing of Fiji Bati International Viliame Kikau. The establishment of ‘The Kikau Academy’ has led to the Bulldogs’ Ron Massey Cup and Jersey Flegg teams traveling to Fiji three times within the past year.
The newly formed affiliation coincides with the Bulldogs’ strong roster of Fijian players participating in the upcoming 2025 Pacific Championships, including Kikau, Kitione Kautoga, Jethro Rinakama, and Penioni Tagituimua, along with the Bulikula team members Ilisapeci Bari, Abigayle Sekitoga, Latisha Smythe, and Nanise Vakacavu. Additionally, Fijian international Marcelo Montoya is set to return to the club in 2025.
Phil Gould AM, General Manager of Football, expressed his excitement about the partnership, emphasizing the potential for both clubs to build a strong collaboration that promotes Fijian talent in the NRL.
“This partnership is groundbreaking and crucial for the growth of Rugby League in Fiji,” Gould remarked. He highlighted the existing presence of Fijian players at the club, including Kikau in the NRL and Smythe in the NRLW, and looks forward to seeing this pathway expand in the coming years.
Kaiviti Silktails Chairman Peter Civoniceva also expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with the Bulldogs, praising their Pathways Program and the potential it offers.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Bulldogs, and there are numerous reasons this deal made sense for us,” Civoniceva stated. He noted the impressive performance of the Bulldogs’ NRL team and acknowledged the strong commitment from Gould and Hartigan towards developing rugby in Fiji during their recent meeting. He also highlighted the significant Fijian ex-pat community in the Canterbury-Bankstown District, which further aligns with this new partnership.