The Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports program today signed a three-year sponsorship deal worth $2.7 million ($1.8 AUD) for Fiji’s first rugby franchise team, the Fijian Drua, an extension of the partnership between Australia and Fiji.
Senator Zed Seselja, Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific formalised the deal with Fiji Rugby CEO John O’Connor and Fijian Drua CEO Brian Thorburn in a signing held this afternoon at the Albert Park Pavilion in Fiji’s capital city Suva
in Fiji to affirm Australia’s support for the Drua and their participation in the new Super Rugby Pacific competition.
“Australia and Fiji are bound together by our geography, our history, our religious traditions – and our passion for sport,” Seselja said, “We want to see the talent showcased by Fiji in their Gold medal-winning rugby 7s performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics more regularly on display to the world.
“Our support will build new careers for generations of talent and attract investment to support Fiji’s response to the economic impact of COVID-19. We hope it will help Fiji’s cultural and economic recovery and help our countries stay connected. Backing Fiji goes to the heart of Australia’s Pacific Step-up – bringing our people together to succeed and thrive. PacificAus Sports support to the Fijian Drua is our way of showing that we understand what it means to be a true partner with Fiji.”
Fijian Drua CEO Brian Thorburn said the Australian Government’s “has literally made [Fiji’s] Super Rugby dreams come true.”
“Their sponsorship has been crucial in getting us to where we are today, just three months away from our historic first match. The Australian Government’s backing has also helped navigate international health and travel requirements during this difficult period, protecting the health and safety of everyone involved.”
In addition to backing the Drua, Australia supports Fijian teams to access high level competition and pursue professional sporting careers. This includes supporting the Fiji Kava Kaiviti Silktails team.
PacificAus Sports also supported 170 Pacific athletes in the lead up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, assisting access to high level training environments and qualification events. Forty Fijian athletes made it to Tokyo, competing in swimming, athletics, table tennis, judo, sailing and the Rugby 7s.
