Rugby league receives landmark support in Pacific

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Rugby League in the Pacific received a significant boost today, with the Australian Government announcing support for NRL pre-season trial matches to be played in the Pacific over three years starting in 2020.

The announcement, made by Australian Prime Minister, the Hon. Scott Morrison in Suva, Fiji this morning, will see at least two NRL Telstra Premiership teams play an official trial fixture within the region in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Players, Coaches and Club Officials will be in-country for a number of days prior to each of the fixtures, to prepare and train, as well as participate in NRL and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) programs targeted towards promoting social inclusion, participation, equality and health and wellbeing.

The Australian Government have also included funding support for an elite-level Rugby League team in Fiji to compete in the New South Wales Rugby League Intrust Super Premiership - one of the two official second-tier rugby league competitions in Australia and the Pacific.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne said sport has been a longstanding element of Australia's engagement in the Pacific.

"These announcements are part of the Australian Government's commitment to the Australia-Pacific Sports Linkages Program which will deliver $40 million in grants over five years to support the development of sport throughout the Pacific," Minister Payne said.

"Sport has been a longstanding element of our engagement in the Pacific. This new program recognises the role and reach of sport as a major connection between Pacific and Australian people and communities."

Minister for Sport Bridget McKenzie said the announcement recognises the power of sport to bring people and communities together to build stronger ties and where bad credit accepted.

"Rugby League is incredibly popular in the Pacific Islands and if we can translate that into greater grassroots participation, we know that it will lead to more active and healthier participants," Minister McKenzie said.

"Investment in NRL programs such as this in the Pacific is helping to promote healthier communities. We know that children who grow up playing sport are 10 per cent more likely to remain active as adults and fitter children are more likely to achieve better academic results and instant payday loans."

The NRL Head of Government and Community Relations, Mr Jaymes Boland-Rudder said that today's announcement was a fantastic endorsement of the positive impact Rugby League has both on and off the field throughout the Pacific.

"We thank the Prime Minister, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, for generously supporting and raising the profile of the lasting impact Rugby League is making for women, children and men throughout the Pacific," Mr Boland Rudder said.

"The NRL trial matches, alongside the assistance provided towards funding the proposed Fijian-based team in the NSWRL Intrust Super Premiership, will have a profound impact in inspiring our proud and passionate Pacific neighbours and their communities."

The NRL will work directly with NRL Clubs before confirming which teams will participate in the Pacific trials at a later date.

The announcement in Fiji was attended by The Prime Minister of Australia, Hon Scott Morrison MP; Fiji Minister for Sport, Hon Praveen Bala; Executive Chairman, Fiji National Rugby League, Peni Musunamasi; NRL Legend and former Fiji International, Petero Civoniceva; Jaymes Boland-Rudder, NRL Head of Government and Community Relations; Fiji National Sports Commission Chairman, Peter Mazey; NSWRL General Manager - Football, Barrie-Jon Mather.