The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are thrilled to announce a new groundbreaking partnership with the Kaiviti Silktails for the next three years, which will strengthen the Club’s Pathways Programs in Fiji.
Established in 2020, the Silktails first competed in the Ron Massey Cup within the NSWRL, and have since transitioned to the Jersey Flegg Cup competition, with an emphasis on unearthing and developing Rugby League players from Fiji.
Over the past two seasons, the Bulldogs have increased its commitment to the game in Fiji, particularly on the back of signing Fiji Bati International Viliame Kikau.
Since the establishment of ‘The Kikau Academy’, the Club’s Ron Massey Cup and Jersey Flegg teams have played in Fiji three times in the last twelve months.
The new affiliation coincides with the Club’s strong contingent of Fijian representatives throughout the 2025 Pacific Championships, including Bati squad members Kikau, Kitione Kautoga, Jethro Rinakama and Penioni Tagituimua, as well as Bulikula quartet Ilisapeci Bari, Abigayle Sekitoga, Latisha Smythe and Nanise Vakacavu.
The Best of Viliame Kikau in 2024
This also comes off the back of the Club announcing the return of Fijian international Marcelo Montoya in 2025.
General Manager of Football Phil Gould AM was thrilled with the announcement, citing the opportunity for both clubs to forge a strong partnership that will help to fast-track Fijian talent through to the NRL.
“This is a groundbreaking partnership that will be paramount in the development of Rugby League throughout Fiji,” Mr Gould said.
“We already have a proud contingent of Fijians at the Club, headlined by Viliame Kikau in the NRL and Latisha Smythe in the NRLW, and we’re looking to see this pathway flourish over the next few years.
The Silktails are a great club who are pioneers of the game in the Pacific, and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to help develop their impressive Elite Development Pathways Program and continue our commitment to Rugby League in Fiji.
Kaiviti Silktails Chairman Peter Civoniceva was impressed with the Bulldogs Pathways Program and looked forward to the start of a new affiliation.
“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,” said Civoniceva.
“Watching the rise of their NRL team this year was something that won the hearts of all Rugby League fans. The rise of the NRL team has been built on what Phil Gould and Adam Hartigan have done with their Pathways Program and to align ourselves with a strong program was paramount for us.
“Apart from our largest Fijian ex-pat community residing in the Canterbury-Bankstown District in Sydney, the Bulldogs have also been extremely active in Fiji over the past two seasons and our board were so impressed with how committed ‘Gus’ and Adam were to Fiji when they met two weeks ago.”
