'Life changing' Silktails win broadcast across Pacific
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Kaiviti Silktails’ historic win against the Dragons has been described as “life changing” for the Fijian players, and fans will be able to follow the fortunes of the team through a broadcast deal with PacificAus TV.
The Silktails, who are a feeder team to the Bulldogs, won their first match since joining the NSWRL Jersey Flegg competition last season when they beat St George Illawarra 23-22 at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
After three years in the Ron Massey Cup, the Silktails joined the Jersey Flegg competition last season and all of the club's home and away matches have been shown on Free-to-Air channels across the Pacific.
“PacificAus TV is excited to once again share top Fijian local Rugby League talent with our Pacific partner broadcasters, in association with the NRL and NSWRL,” said Bridget Fair, CEO, Free TV Australia.
“Through our Pacific broadcast partners, PacificAus TV brings the best of Australian sport and quality television programs that Australian audiences know and love to viewers in our region.
"This initiative with the NRL will not only showcase the skills of the Silktails, but also strengthen the cultural and sporting ties across the Pacific region.”
PacificAus TV is an initiative of the Australian Government that is proudly delivered by Free TV Australia.
The program aims to deliver increased access to high quality, trusted and credible content, contributing to a diversity of media in the Pacific region and projecting a positive image of modern Australia.
"PacificAus TV is a key component of Australia's Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy, demonstrating our commitment to deepening relationships across the Pacific", Fair said.
This NRL content is of direct interest to Pacific nations and is broadcast through local free-to-air channels, ensuring that all residents of Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Nauru, Tuvalu, Tonga, Cook Islands and Niue can enjoy the programming at no cost.
"PacificAus TV currently shares the best of Australian television with 17 free-to-air broadcasters in 11 Pacific nations across 6 time zones," PacificAus TV director, Shane Wood, said.
"This partnership with the NRL underlines PacificAus TV’s role in the Australian Government’s efforts to enhance media accessibility and support local broadcasters across the Pacific by providing high-quality Australian content that complements local programming."
Canterbury have a strong connection to Fiji through star second-rower Viliame Kikau and established an academy in his name, which feeds into the Silktails and offers players a pathway to Belmore.
“Over the past two seasons the Bulldogs have increased our commitment to the game in Fiji by establishing ‘The Kikau Academy’,” Bulldogs GM of football Phil Gould said.
“Partnering with the Silktails is an extension of our commitment to rugby league in Fiji and our clubs have worked really closely over the last six months after a challenging first season in the Jersey Flegg competition.
“Watching the Silktails get their first win last weekend against the Dragons was a life changing moment for the local players and staff that were a part of that historic victory.”
Kaiviti Silktails chairman Petero Civoniceva welcomed the exposure generated by the win against the Dragons through the team’s ongoing coverage via PacificAus TV.
“Securing this broadcast deal for the second time is not just a boost for the Silktails as a club. but a massive win for rugby league in Fiji,” Civoniceva said.
“Our club secured a historic win against the St George Illawarra Dragons last weekend which was a massive boost for the club. We look forward to showcasing more wins through this TV deal to everyone in Fiji and throughout the Pacific.”
