Australia has committed FJ$35 million towards sports development in Fiji, including support for rugby union, under the newly signed Vuvale Union Treaty, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying the investment recognises the unifying power of sport between the two nations.
The funding announcement came as Albanese and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka signed the landmark Vuvale Union Treaty and the Ocean of Peace Alliance yesterday, further strengthening bilateral ties across security, economic development and people-to-people cooperation.
Albanese says the investment acknowledges the strong sporting connection shared by Fiji and Australia, particularly through rugby, which continues to bring communities together and strengthen relations between the two countries.
The announcement comes at a timely moment for Fijian rugby, with the Fijian Drua Women preparing to host a home semi-final after finishing top of the regular season standings in the Super Rugby Women's competition.
Meanwhile, the Fiji national rugby union team will continue their northern tour, taking on Wales at 1.10am this Sunday, before facing England on 12th July at Hill Dickinson Stadium, and concluding the tour against Scotland 19th July at Murrayfield Stadium.
The Australian funding is expected to further support the growth of rugby and other sporting programmes in Fiji, complementing the country's continued success on the regional and international stage.
