Prime Ministers sign landmark Pacific Rugby League Partnership
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The Australian Rugby League Commission has signed a landmark Statement of Partnership with Pacific rugby league federations in the presence of the Prime Ministers of Australia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga.
ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys AM signed the historic document in Brisbane on Wedne, alongside counterparts from the PNG Rugby Football League, Tonga Rugby League XIII and Rugby League Samoa.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, PNG Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, Samoan PM Hon. Laʻaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, and Tongan PM Hon. Lord Fakafanua, together with senior representatives from their respective governments, were present to witness the landmark moment.
The Pacific Rugby League Partnership is a historic initiative between the ARLC, the Australian Government, Pacific Governments and the rugby league federations of Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.
Supported by a $250m investment by the Australian Government - a key part of the broader $600m commitment, which includes support for the entry of the PNG Chiefs into the NRL in 2028 - the partnership will grow rugby league across the Pacific.
Prime Minister Albanese said rugby league would be a catalyst for social change and deepening Australia–Pacific people-to-people and institutional links.
"From the proud island nations of the Pacific, to the suburbs and regions of Queensland and New South Wales, rugby league unites us and inspires us," he said.
"The first signing for the PNG Chiefs, Jarome Luai is a powerful symbol of that: a premiership player, Origin winner and an Australian who takes pride in his Samoan heritage. The partnership we launch today celebrates these connections.
"Today, our Pacific family draws closer together. We bond around a shared love of this great game, a shared investment in our young people and their future and a shared commitment to the region we call home.
This is a great day for rugby league, for all our nations and for the next generation."
Australia’s funding for the partnership will deliver more than just a pathway for emerging talent across the Pacific.
The Pacific Rugby League Partnership has three main pillars – community and grassroots, pathways and academies, and elite and international.
A strong focus will be placed on introducing young boys and girls to rugby league early, and building participation in the sport, including through schools.
By encouraging rugby league in schools and local communities, the partnership will shape confident, healthy and connected young people while also nurturing talent across the Pacific.
Initiatives of the partnership include:
- Expanding existing youth engagement and violence prevention programs to reach more communities.
- Establishing primary and high school competitions in Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, supported by a network of teachers accredited as coaches.
- Setting up programs in each country to promote girls’ competitions.
Building men’s and women’s national competitions across age groups. - Continuing to deliver Pacific Championship matches and identify opportunities for NRL and NRLW matches to be played in the Pacific.
- The Pacific Rugby League Partnership will be delivered by the ARLC in partnership with the national rugby league federations of Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji.
Samoa Prime Minister La'auli Leuatea Schmidt noted that 50 per cent of NRL players were of Pasifika heritage, including the likes of Jason Taumalolo, Stephen Crichton, Payne Haas and Luai.
"Investing in sport is also investing in stronger community, and more prosperity for our future and our region," he said.
"Rugby league is more than a game, it is a source of national pride, the way we bring community together and a powerful platform to develop our young people and presentation for new opportunities."
