Melbourne Storm players and coaches will share their training and coaching skills with schools and rugby league clubs in the lead up to its official NRL trial match to be played at Churchill Park in February.
With tickets now available to buy in all Jacks of Fiji outlets and online, Storm confirmed activities being planned with Fiji NRL, local schools and the Kaiviti Silktails.
The week of activities will include open training sessions, coaching clinics and school visits, while Fiji Bati Captain and Storm prop, Tui Kamikamica, will also visit his home village during the week with a number of Storm players.
“I am extremely proud to be able to visit my village and to take some of my Storm teammates to my home in Somosomo,” Kamikamica said.
All of Fiji is excited about having Storm and the Knights play this trial match and I can’t wait to see the kids and families at the match and the clinics.
Tui Kamikamica
“This is a very proud moment for our country. I hope it gives more kids the inspiration to play rugby league and maybe play for the Storm one day.” Kamikamica said.
Fiji Airways will fly Kamikamica and his teammates to his home island of Taveuni, where they will meet with students and the local community.
Storm fans will be able to watch the team train at Churchill Park on Wednesday afternoon, while coaches from local rugby league clubs will be given the opportunity to learn from Storm’s coaching staff in an exclusive clinic.
Players will also visit local primary and secondary schools throughout the week as the team prepares for the first ever NRL match to be played in Fiji.
Fiji National Rugby League CEO, Don Natabe, said having Storm play in Fiji will be a great boost for the sport in 2024.
“The rugby league community is excited about having the Storm and Knights come to Fiji,” Natabe said.
All of Fiji is excited about having Storm and the Knights play this trial match and I can’t wait to see the kids and families at the match and the clinics.
Don Natabe CEO, Fiji National Rugby League
Storm also announced the Kaiviti Silktails will play a curtain raiser prior to Storm taking on the Newcastle Knights on February 24th. The Silktails curtain raiser will kick off at 12.30pm at Churchill Park, giving the Fijian locals a chance to see future NRL stars in action.
“For any NRL club bringing a trial game of this level out into the Pacific region is truly amazing,” Kaiviti Silktails General Manager, Damon Spooner, said.
“For Fiji, this is huge. As soon as it was announced the city of Lautoka has been buzzing. For the Kaiviti Silktails, who are about to enter the NSWRL Jersey Flegg U21 competition, the players, staff and board will be forever grateful to the Storm.
“The ripple effect of having the Melbourne Storm and Newcastle Knights in Lautoka, I believe, will inspire the next generation of elite Fijian players into pathways with local staff opportunities for years to come.”
Tickets for the Storm v Knights trial match can be purchased in store or online through Jacks of Fiji starting from $10 FJD.
Melbourne Storm is proudly supported by premium partner, Fiji Airways, with local partners Fiji Tourism, Sheraton, Raddison, Novotel, Tappoo Group and Fiji Water helping to deliver the trial match and community activities in Fiji.
