All the events leading up to the Pacific Tests at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday, May 7.
National Teams announced
Sunday 1 May
National teams from Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and Papua New Guinea officially announced to compete in the annual Pacific Test Double Header. Teams will assemble in Sydney for their weekly designated training camps leading into the fixtures.
Schools Blitz - Greater Western Sydney
Monday 2 May, 9.00am to 3.00pm
Pacific Test week will feature a coordinated Schools Blitz program - a joint initiative delivered by the Western Sydney Game Development team and the NRL Pacific Ambassadors. The profile group will feature players who are of Pacific Island heritage and have recently moved on from the game after very successful careers in the NRL competition.
The engagement will provide a unique opportunity for ambassadors to connect with young people through talks on cultural leadership, traditions, values and social responsibility.
Pacific Test Fiji Fundraiser - Parramatta Leagues Club
Wednesday 4 May, 7.30am to 9.00am
Pacific Test Corporate Breakfast – Charity Fundraiser. Event focussed on promoting trades into the Pacific Communities residing in the Western Sydney region, and raising much needed funds for the Petero Civoniceva Foundation to provide aid support to cyclone ravaged Fiji.
Open Training/Fan Days - Greater Western Sydney
Thursday 5 May, 3.30pm to 5.30pm
Pacific Test week will provide an opportunity for supporters to attend exclusive open training sessions prior to game day.
The tailored fan activations will take place in four different locations across the Greater Western Sydney region. Fans are invited to watch their National teams go through their paces, before meeting the players for signatures and photo opportunities.
Tonga Fan Day
St Marys Leagues Club
Cnr Forrester Rd & Boronia Rd
St Marys NSW 2760
3.30pm to 5.30pm
Samoa Fan Day
Campbelltown Stadium
Pembroke Rd, Leumeah
NSW 2560
3.30pm to 5.30pm
Fiji & PNG Fan Day
Pirtek Stadium
O'Connell St, Parramatta
NSW 2150
3.30pm to 5.30pm
Pacific Youth Summit - Western Sydney University, Parramatta
Friday 6 May, 9.00am to 5.00pm
The inaugural Pacific Youth Summit invites 100 youth of Pacific Island heritage from across the Greater Western Sydney region and will feature development workshops, talks, activities and powerful presentations all tailored to the empowerment of Pacific youth.
The Summit will be delivered by NRL Community team and features Pacific Ambassadors, community leaders and industry experts. The Summit will open a channel for Pacific youth to share their thoughts, ideas and visions for the future and provide a platform for them to feel valued and respected.
The Big Island Festival - Centenary Square
Saturday 7 May, 10.00am to 2.00pm
Pacific Food and Dance Festival will be held on the grounds of Centenary Square on game-day prior to gates opening. The Festival is an integral component of the game-day program to maximise fan and community/public engagement.
Key features of the Festival include live cultural performances and local talent, NRL players of Pacific Island heritage, traditional cuisine with dedicated kava stations and adornment stalls
Pacific Test Double Header - Pirtek Stadium
Saturday 7 May
Pirtek Stadium will play host to the Pacific Test Double Header featuring the national teams of Samoa, Fiji, Tonga and Papua New Guinea.
Within the stadium the celebration of Pacific cultures continues with food stalls, Pasifika markets, Pacific music and of course cultural performances.
Game day info:
3.00pm - Gates Open
3.15pm - Junior Kangaroos v Junior Kiwis
5.35pm - Papua New Guinea Kumuls v Fiji Bati
7.40pm - Mate Ma'a Tonga v Toa Samoa
