Speaking at the Fiji-Australia and Australia-Fiji Business Councils Joint Forum Gala Dinner, Hussein says Australia has been an important part of the Drua's journey from the beginning.
He says the Drua plays and does business in Australia, has Australian sponsors and commercial partners, and has a large supporter base there.
Hussein says the Drua took a major risk when it launched as Fiji's first professional sporting club during the COVID-19 pandemic, when borders were closed and there was uncertainty over the future of competitions.
He says the entire organisation had to relocate to Lennox Head in northern New South Wales for its first season because it could not operate normally from Fiji.
Hussein says early funding from the Australian Government, through its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, supported professional pathways for Fijian men's and women's rugby players and gave the Drua the confidence to begin its Super Rugby journey in late 2021.
He says Rugby Australia also played an important role in administering the Australian Government's support and helping the Drua establish itself as a professional rugby organisation.
Hussein says five years later, the Drua has men's, women's and development teams and pays full-time salaries to 90 athletes and 35 staff.
He says the club has also become an important pathway to the Flying Fijians, with 29 of the 37 players in the national squad he referred to either currently playing for the Drua or having come through the club.
Hussein says the Drua has become what he describes as a living example of the strong relationship between Fiji and Australia.
He says Australian support, together with backing from the Fijian Government and commercial partners, has helped put the Drua on a path towards becoming financially self-sustaining while remaining competitive.
Hussein says increased Australian investment announced under the latest Fiji-Australia partnership will help strengthen the club, its players, teams and commercial operations while allowing it to develop other sources of income.
However, he says one of the challenges facing the Drua is retaining players when they receive significantly higher offers from clubs in countries such as France, England and Japan.
Hussein says the Drua cannot blame players for taking these opportunities, but the situation means the club must continue strengthening its system for identifying and developing the next generation of Fijian players.
He says the Drua's impact also extends beyond rugby, with overseas schools and teams increasingly travelling to Fiji to train and play, bringing visitors who spend money on flights, accommodation and other services.
Hussein says the Drua is only five years old and remains in its start-up phase, making strong partnerships and long-term support important as it works towards becoming financially sustainable.
