Fiji for NSW Cup?

[DIEHARD]

THE Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) is on the verge of sealing a deal which will pave the way for a national side to play in the New South Wales (NSW) Cup competition.

The national rugby league body is in talks with its counterparts in Australia to confirm its participation.
FNRL marketing officer Tomasi Turagava said there was "more than 90 per cent probability" that the deal would go through.

He said they were bidding for a place in the competition based on the Vodafone Fiji Bati's performance in the last two Rugby League World Cups.

"Talks are underway in Australia for the Fiji Residents team to play in the NSW Cup competition," Turagava said.
"NSW Cup competition is just a tier level from NRL. Players that don't make the run on team for NRL play in the NSW Cup competition.

"It will be a tough assignment for the Fiji Residents and we should have something finalised by October.
"If the talks come to fruition, we should have 26 games for the Fiji Residents, 13 of which will most probably be played at the ANZ Stadium."

Source: Everything Rugby League

[DIEHARD]

This would be a wonderful boost for Fiji, IRL and the NSW Cup.

I'm sure the trail blazing PNG Hunters have encouraged thoughts on what Fiji could accomplish.

[ozynorts]

Who would have thought that the most forward thinking people in RL would be Papua New Guinea? They had the courage to have a crack at the Q Cup and it is one of the best things to happen to them. If Fiji can follow their lead into the NSW Cup that will be huge. The more we can get these lower tier nations involved in regular high level competition the better off RL will be.

[Skyfire]

This would be a amazing.

[DIEHARD]

FIJI SIDE SET TO PLAY IN NSW CUP

IT’S a landmark day for Pacific Island rugby league with news a Fiji side will feature in the NSW Cup in 2016.

In a Bid led by Petero Civoniceva and Greg Browne, the Fiji NSWRL have received endorsements from the NSWRL board to enter the competition and play out of the National Stadium in Suva.

“Our aim is to provide an affordable and exciting atmosphere for all fans and professional opportunities for our local playing squad, who will train full-time in our training base in Suva,” a statement from the official Bid team said.

“Our Home Ground will be the National Stadium- ANZ Stadium, Suva.

“Our vision is to be the most popular club in the New South Wales Cup to supporters in Fiji and in Sydney.

“Financial viability will be assured through building strong partnerships through our Government and Corporate partnerships. The franchise will provide pathway and development programs from juniors through to seniors and will showcase the tremendous Fijian playing talent.

“This will also provide great exposure for Fijian companies throughout the Australia- Pacific region and promote Fijian Sports Tourism”.

http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/fiji-nsw-cup-bid/

[DIEHARD]

Petero Civoniceva says Fiji team in NSW Cup will lead to NRL bid

Petero Civoniceva believes the admission of a Fiji team to the NSW Cup competition will be a stepping stone to a Pacific islands side joining the NRL.

Civoniceva, who captained Fiji to the semi-final of last year's World Cup in Britain, has been in talks with NSW Rugby League and the NRL about a Suva-based team joining the second-tier NSW Cup competition in 2016.

The team, which will have a training base in Suva and play out of the city's ANZ Stadium, will comprise of players eligible for Bati selection who reside in Fiji. Civoniceva expects a number of rugby union stars to switch codes for the opportunity to showcase their talents to NRL clubs.

Like Papua New Guinea, who this year entered a team in the Queensland Cup, it is hoped that Fiji – or even a combined Pasifika side – will gain entry to the NRL.

"Most definitely that is a goal," Civoniceva said. "Everyone is prepared to take small steps first but no doubt one day into the future it would be wonderful if the island nations were represented in the NRL.

"What we are proposing is to have a fully professional team preparing and playing out of Fiji, and obviously commuting every second week to Sydney. This is such a huge step for Fiji sport so we don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves, but if we can create this stepping stone who knows where it will lead."

Civoniceva has been working on the proposal with Queensland businessman Greg Browne since visiting Fiji with the Bati squad after the World Cup and seeing how the success of the team, and players such as Semi Radradra, Sisa Waqa, Apisai Koroisau, Akuila Uate and Marika Koroibete in the NRL, had boosted interest in the game.

"The way we were bought home and the way the team was followed goes to show there is a real love for the game, so the next step was to give the local players an opportunity to be exposed to a higher standard of competition," Civoniceva said.

The decision was made to play in the NSW Cup as the team would have to wait for up to seven years to enter the Queensland Cup, there is a big Fijian population in Sydney and most of the other sides are known to fans in Fiji as they have the same names and logos of NRL clubs.

"The fact that we now get every game of NRL broadcast in Fiji is the reason the game of rugby league has just gone through the roof in terms of interest and participation," Civoniceva said.

"We are talking with the NRL about setting up community-based programs to use rugby league to push health and social messages into schools and also to promote participation in rugby league for boys and girls."

Fairfax Media was recently told there are more than 200 Fijians playing professional rugby union in Europe. Civoniceva said many would be keen to play league if they can stay at home or have an opportunity to pursue an NRL contract.

"That number would be right and it obviously goes to show there would be huge potential for a team being brought into a NSW Cup competition because of the fact that so many players leave the Fiji shores to chase an opportunity overseas," he said.

"I think the amount of interest this will develop in Fiji, we could get a few rugby union players cross over because they know this could be a pathway into the NRL. If we lose players to clubs in NRL or Super League, we will bring in another batch of players from Fiji."

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/

[TITAN PETE]

This is great news for Fiji & Rugby League, will only help improve international RL

[DIEHARD]

This is great news for Fiji & Rugby League, will only help improve international RL

It was great to hear Phil Gould sing it's praises during Friday Night Football.