Australian Defence Force strengthens sporting ties in the Pacific

The Australian Defence Force Rugby League (ADFRL) is conducting a tour in Fiji from 8–12 October alongside the Australian National Rugby League Prime Minister’s XIII teams, the Kangaroos and Jillaroos.

This is the first leg of a longer tour which includes Tonga and Samoa.

The Fiji Tour will culminate in a four-game schedule where the ADFRL will play the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, and the NRL teams will play the Fiji National teams at ANZ Stadium.

ADF Rugby League President, Air Commodore Ken Quinn said the ADF had now undertaken several training programmes in Fiji, Tonga and Papua New Guinea and the common theme in all of these activities was the collective appreciation of the value of sport.

“The team is really looking forward to working with the kids and members of the Fijian community as a way of building relationships between our countries and bringing the cultures together through the universal language of sport,” Air Commodore Quinn said.

Royal Australian Air Force Leading Aircraftwoman and Australian National Rugby League player, Meg Ward highlighted the benefits of the tour.

“The programs we are conducting with schools and communities in Fiji provide practical and theoretical aspects of rugby league skills development, game strategies, nutrition, lifestyle advice and game day preparation,” Leading Aircraftwoman Ward said.

“In terms of the competition, it will be a hard game against the Republic of Fiji Military Forces team at ANZ Stadium. They are a fantastic team and I am looking forward to the match.”

The programs are being delivered by ADFRL and Australian National Rugby League, supported by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and Fiji Rugby League.

Imagery for media use will be available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/S20192362.