FIJI has joined the Pacific Rugby League Partnership, with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Fiji Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru signing the Statement of Intent in Parliament today.
The signing marks an important milestone in the development of stronger rugby league ties between Australia and Fiji and reinforces Fiji’s role as a key partner in the future of Pacific rugby league.
Australian Rugby League Commission Commissioner Peter Beattie visited Fiji to meet with the Fijian Government and support the formalisation of Fiji’s participation in the partnership.
Beattie’s visit provided an opportunity to engage directly with Rabuka and Saukuru, discuss Fiji’s priorities and ensure Fiji’s interests are reflected in the delivery of the partnership.
“Fiji has officially joined the Pacific Rugby League Partnership,” the statement said.
Fiji now joins Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga as partners in the landmark Pacific Rugby League initiative.
The Pacific Rugby League Partnership is a long-term partnership between the Australian Rugby League Commission and the Australian Government, backed by a $AUD250 million Australian Government investment.
For Fiji, the partnership will help strengthen rugby league from grassroots through to the international level, working closely with the Fiji National Rugby League.
A major focus will be schools and young people, creating opportunities for both boys and girls to participate in rugby league from an early age.
Key areas of investment will include pathways, academies, high-performance programs and community participation.
“The partnership is about more than elite rugby league,” the statement said.
“It will use the sport to support community participation, inclusion, gender equality, wellbeing and stronger connections across communities.”
The partnership will deliver five key outcomes: stronger federations and clubs; safe and accessible community and school competitions; greater community cohesion, gender equality and inclusion; Pacific-led talent pathways; and sustainable elite and international rugby league.
The focus on stronger federations and clubs will support the development of rugby league structures in Fiji. Safe and accessible community and school competitions will create opportunities for participation among young people, including boys and girls.
The partnership will also support greater community cohesion, gender equality and inclusion, alongside Pacific-led talent pathways and sustainable elite and international rugby league. The formalisation of Fiji’s participation reinforces the partnership between the Australian Rugby League Commission, the Australian Government and Pacific rugby league partners, while ensuring Fiji’s priorities and interests are reflected in its delivery.
