Great news for NRL lovers in the country as the Melbourne Storm will face the Newcastle Knights on the 24th February next year at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
While making the announcement, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka says there is no better time to leverage major events and they have done it in the past and will continue to do so.
He says their aim is to position Fiji as a destination of choice for such events and to ensure the benefits are far reaching with long lasting impact beyond tourism numbers.
This initiative is part of a tactical move by Tourism Fiji to capitalise on the shoulder periods and boost visitor arrivals while enhancing Fiji's visibility as a diverse destination offering a myriad of experiences.
Melbourne Storm CEO Justin Rodski says they are very excited about bringing the first-ever NRL match to Fiji.
He says the support of Fiji Airways and Tourism Fiji has helped to make this match become a reality, and they cannot wait to give Fijians the opportunity to see their NRL stars up close and personal.
Rodski says they already have a lot of Fijian talent within the game, and this serves as an incredible opportunity to not only grow the sport they love but help develop the next wave of talent and hopefully give more young men and women the chance to play NRL or NRLW.
He says rugby league is a fast-growing sport in Fiji, and they hope this trial game can be the launching pad for future NRL content to be played here in Fiji.
Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill says this historic NRL clash aligns with their strategic efforts to showcase Fiji's versatility and unique offerings.
He says they believe this event will not only captivate sports enthusiasts but will also spotlight Fiji as a destination that seamlessly blends adventure and relaxation.
In preparation for the match, the Melbourne Storm will spend the week in Fiji, actively engaging with the local community, schools, and rugby league clubs to inspire aspiring NRL players.
Special events include visits to local schools and rugby clubs, along with a unique initiative where 160 members of the Storm Executive Club will join the team in Fiji for their annual business networking.
To commemorate the occasion, the Storm will wear specially designed training t-shirts during the week, and the match ball will carry traditional Fiji artwork to recognise the significance of the event.
Tickets for the match are also on sale, starting at $15 , and can be purchased at Melbourne Storm's official ticketing site.
Fiji Airways Chief Marketing and Customer Officer, Akuila Batiweti says Fiji Airways is delighted to partner in bringing an NRL pre-season game to Fijian shores, reinforcing their commitment to local communities and showcasing Fiji's potential in sports tourism.
He says as sponsors of the Melbourne Storm, they invite fans to get on their flights to Fiji to witness top-tier rugby league.
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