The Kaiviti Silktails have secured a significant partnership with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs for the next three years. Founded in 2020, the Silktails first participated in the Ron Massey Cup and have since moved on to compete in the Jersey Flegg Cup, focusing on the identification and development of Rugby League talent from Fiji.
In recent years, the Bulldogs have enhanced their involvement in Fijian rugby, particularly following the signing of Fiji Bati International Viliame Kikau. With the introduction of ‘The Kikau Academy’, the Bulldogs’ Ron Massey Cup and Jersey Flegg teams have visited Fiji three times in the past year.
This new affiliation aligns with the club’s notable representation of Fijian players in the upcoming 2025 Pacific Championships, which includes Bati squad members such as Kikau, Kitione Kautoga, Jethro Rinakama, and Penioni Tagituimua, alongside Bulikula players Ilisapeci Bari, Abigayle Sekitoga, Latisha Smythe, and Nanise Vakacavu. Additionally, the club recently announced the return of Fijian international Marcelo Montoya in 2025.
Phil Gould, the General Manager of Football, expressed his excitement about the partnership, emphasizing the potential for both organizations to create a powerful alliance that would accelerate the journey of Fijian talents into the NRL. He noted, “This is a groundbreaking partnership that will be paramount in the development of Rugby League throughout Fiji.”
Civoniceva, the Chairman of the Kaiviti Silktails, praised the Bulldogs’ Pathways Program and expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. “Our club is so excited to be partnering with the Bulldogs, and there were just so many reasons why this deal made sense for us,” he remarked. He acknowledged the growing popularity of the Bulldogs in Rugby League and appreciated their active engagement in Fiji. Civoniceva added that the strong Fijian expat community in the Canterbury-Bankstown District further solidifies the partnership.
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