Fiji NSW Cup Bid to Heard Next Month

[Burns]

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/09/29/nsw-cup-rejection-wont-stop-fijian-bid

"Buoyed by the PNG Hunters' achievements in Queensland, Petero Civoniceva won't give up on getting a Fijian side into the NSW Cup even if their bid is again rejected this year.

Fiji, spearheaded by retired NRL great Civoniceva who played for the Bati six times after 45 Tests for Australia, will next month put its case to the NSW Rugby League (NSWRL) board.

The same board last year denied the Pacific nation's participation in the 2017 season over commercial issues.

NSWRL boss David Trodden said after last year's failed bid the body was committed to granting Fiji participation in the reserve grade competition."

~~~~~~~~~~~

I had read in the Daily Telegraph a week or so ago that the Bid had to raise $4 million? You would think that from the immense goodwill and financial boon of the PNG Hunters in the QLD Cup that this decision sure be awaiting a mere rubber stamp?

Perhaps if Fiji reach the Quarter Finals of the World Cup, we'll see additional funding flow to Fiji RL? (Although they have pretty good sponsorship at the moment, right?)

 

[NK Arsenal]

It definitely needs to happen

Giving Fijian locals a clear pathway to the top will give the game a massive boost and it will hopefully over take RU in the popularity stakes.

Add do that their national team will benefit for years down the track too

 

[NRLMad]

It definitely needs to happen

Giving Fijian locals a clear pathway to the top will give the game a massive boost and it will hopefully over take RU in the popularity stakes.

Add do that their national team will benefit for years down the track too

The NRL should have expansion seed funding, they can't just leave the islands to their vices. Assist with government grant lodgements, etc

 

[titoelcolombiano]

I wonder if a Fijian NSW Cup side would be more or less popular than the Fijian NRC team.

 

[CC_Roosters]

You just know it will be a no from the fatheads at NSWRL

 

[Irish-bulldog]

This needs to happen, if not nsw they should be let into the intrust super cup. It's great for the development of the game in so many ways. Just look at png it's been sensational having them in the qld version.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

I'm not sure why the QLD Cup hasn't been looked at by the bid team. Maybe it has, I don't know.

 

[Last Week]

Why do the bid team need to raise $4 million?

 

[siv]

As Bennett said it costs $2 mil to run a U20s team

 

[Hello, I'm The Doctor]

Why do the bid team need to raise $4 million?

To show they can cover their own costs

 

[ed612313]

Im at a loss as to why the NSWRL cannot make this happen... Obviously Fiji have to meet certain criteria but if its a funding issue that is the problem then surely the NTL can help out. Having a Fiji team in either the NSW or Queensland State Cup is huge.... Its time the NRL realised Rugby League is played outside of Eastern Australia and put in a bit of money for short term pain/long term gain.
Im struggling to believe that Fiji cant find the sponsors (if that is the reason)......

 

[siv]

Why should clubs who struggle to fund u20s let alone NSW Cup without NRL assistance be lumbered with the extra travel costs of flying two teams and officials internationally

This was part of the argument put up by NRL clubs in not having RG and U20s

 

[LeagueXIII]

Why should clubs who struggle to fund u20s let alone NSW Cup without NRL assistance be lumbered with the extra travel costs of flying two teams and officials internationally

This was part of the argument put up by NRL clubs in not having RG and U20s

This is where the league should step in and help. It is a no brainer Fiji should be in, over ten years we will get more back then we give.
But typical modern day league, Australia won't do anything until these small countries battle, and then Australia will turn up like they did yesterday for the tri nations.

 

[kiwileaguefan]

So planning for 2019 now...

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ling-short-on-latest-bid-20171014-gz0zjg.html

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Time to give it the useless merkins at the NSWRL again.

 

[CQ Italia]

So planning for 2019 now...

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ling-short-on-latest-bid-20171014-gz0zjg.html

D-Day is NSWRL AGM which hasn't happened yet

 

[miguel de cervantes]

Europe and the RFL- leading the way for international league development. Australia- forever dragging the chain.

 

[siv]

They really should setup a Balkans Style Pacific Islands Cup for nations like Fiji / Samoa and Tonga

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

Thank god I didn't hold my breath with this one eh.

 

[johnny plath]

Does any one know why Fiji went NSW cup rather than Qld. Is there a bigger fiji population in Sydney, or are flights easier, or some other reason.