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 within the NSWRL and have since moved to the Jersey Flegg Cup, focusing on identifying and nurturing rugby league talent from Fiji.
In recent seasons, the Bulldogs have demonstrated a commitment to the Fijian rugby league community, particularly following the signing of Fiji Bati International Viliame Kikau. Their efforts include the establishment of ‘The Kikau Academy,’ and over the last year, the Bulldogs’ Ron Massey Cup and Jersey Flegg teams have visited Fiji three times.
This new collaboration comes as the Bulldogs prepare for the 2025 Pacific Championships, where they will have a strong presence of Fijian players, including Kikau, Kitione Kautoga, Jethro Rinakama, Penioni Tagituimua, and members of the Bulikula women’s team.
Additionally, the Bulldogs recently announced the return of Fijian international Marcelo Montoya for the 2025 season. Phil Gould AM, General Manager of Football, expressed his excitement about the partnership, emphasizing its potential to develop rugby league in Fiji and enhance the pathways for Fijian players to reach the NRL.
Gould stated, “This is a groundbreaking partnership that will be paramount in the development of Rugby League throughout Fiji.” He highlighted the existing Fijian talent at the Bulldogs and the goal of expanding these opportunities in the coming years.
Kaiviti Silktails Chairman Peter Civoniceva praised the Bulldogs’ Pathways Program and expressed enthusiasm for 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,” Civoniceva noted. He emphasized the impressive growth of the Bulldogs’ NRL team and the strong commitment to Fiji demonstrated by Gould and his team during recent meetings.
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