Australia supports women in league

Australian High Commission chargé d’affaires John Williams says Australia is proud to support the work done by the Fiji National Rugby League and NRL Fiji in growing the game for women and girls.

The story of pioneering women in rugby league is becoming particularly relevant here in Fiji.

“Next year, the Fiji women’s rugby league team, the Bulikula, will have the opportunity to play in a qualifying tournament for the 2025 Women’s Rugby League World Cup in France,” he said.

“This is the first time Fiji will have played in a world cup qualifying event.

“So the stage is set for another group of women sporting pioneers in Fiji, to hopefully follow in the footsteps of the Fijiana Drua, both in the public imagination and in their success on the field.”

He sent out a message for men involved in sport, particularly men sports stars with a high public profile, to understand their stake and important role in promoting equality and diversity as a male champion of change.

“As a starting point, I believe it’s incumbent on professional sports teams everywhere to teach young men about the vital importance of respectful relationships.

“This applies as much to a fresh recruit in an NRL club in Sydney or Brisbane, as it does a rugby player in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, or Samoa. It should not be left to our women sports stars to lead the way on gender equality.”