Bulldogs and Kaiviti Silktails form innovative partnership

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are delighted to announce an innovative new partnership with Kaiviti Silktails for the next three years, which will strengthen the Pathways Club’s programs in Fiji.

Founded in 2020, Silktails first competed in the Ron Massey Cup within the NSWRL and has since moved into the Jersey Flegg competition with a particular focus on identifying and developing Fiji Rugby League players.

Over the past two seasons, the Bulldogs have deepened their commitment to playing in Fiji, especially after signing William Kikau from Fiji Bati International.

Since the inception of Kikau Academy, the club’s Ron Massey Cup and Jersey Flegg Cup teams have played in Fiji three times in the last twelve months.

The new membership coincides with a strong contingent of Fiji representatives on the Club’s roster for the 2025 Pacific Championships, including team members Bati Kikau, Kitione Kautoga, Jethro Rinakama and Penioni Tagituimua, as well as the quartet of Bulikula Ilisapechi Bari, Abigail Sekitoga, Latisha Smythe and Nanise Vakakavu.

It also comes after the club announced the return of Fiji international Marcelo Montoya in 2025.

General Manager Football Phil Gould AM was delighted with the announcement, citing the opportunity for both clubs to forge a strong partnership that would help accelerate the entry of Fijian talent into the NRL.

“This is an innovative 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, led by the NRL’s William Kikau and the NRLV’s Latisha Smythe, and we look forward to seeing this journey flourish over the next few years.

The Silktails are a great club and pioneers of the game in the Pacific region and we are thrilled to be able to help develop their impressive Elite Development Pathways program and continue our commitment to Rugby League in Fiji.

Chairman of Kaiviti Silktails Petr Chivoniceva was impressed with the Bulldogs Pathways program and was looking forward to starting a new membership.

“Our club is very excited to partner with the Bulldogs, and there were so many reasons why this deal made sense for us,” Chivoniceva said.

“Watching their NRL team grow this year has captured the hearts of all Rugby League fans. The growth of the NRL team was built on what Phil Gould and Adam Hartigan did with their Pathways program and joining a strong program was paramount for us.

“As well as having our largest expat Fijian community in the Canterbury-Bankstown area of ​​Sydney, the Bulldogs have also been extremely active in Fiji over the last two seasons and our management have been very impressed with how committed Gus and Adam Fiji have been. when they met two weeks ago.”