Rugby Australia stands ready to assist Samoa and other Pacific Island nations in the development of rugby with the Veimoana Partnership – a five-year partnership that will take rugby in Samoa to the next level.
This was the topic of discussion between the Prime Minister of Samoa Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt with the General Manager of Government Relations and Pacific Partnerships Daniel Millis, and Cultural Liaison Officer Fa’alafi Pa Enari of Rugby Australia.
In an exclusive interview with the Savali Newspaper on Monday, General Manager Millis revealed they were looking ahead to what the next phase of the partnership should be.
They are also working very closely with the governments and rugby bodies of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, so as to create a Pacific lead, Pacific driven, and a Pacific designed partnership, called the Veimoana Rugby Partnership.
“What this new partnership model does is, it will take that rugby exchange between our countries to the next level, it will also be funded by the Australian government,” he said.
“So, we’re looking at establishing a new competition that will run towards the end of the year at the current Super Rugby Australia window and would give Samoa an opportunity to play against the Australian Super Rugby teams from Australia as well as the Fijian Drua by establishing a new club rugby side in Samoa and Tonga to take part in that competition.
That’s for men’s end with the rugby.”
As for what’s next, they have just had a positive meeting with Samoa’s Prime Minister, and from here it is on to the Veimoana Rugby Partnership proposal.
It will be submitted to the Australian government from a regional approach from the three prime ministers of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, and then expected negotiations to take place between the Australian government and the three governments.
Rugby Australia’s role will be to partner with our pacific rugby partners, Oceania Rugby and the World Rugby and take a deeper level of design on the Veimoana Partnership as we begin mapping out, what, 2027 and beyond looks like should the Veimoana Partnership be funded.
According to Fa’alafi the exciting thing is that it is not only Australia that is present but the World Rugby, and this reflects having an understanding right across the region.
In terms of the benefits if Samoa were to sign is quite big he said.
The cost of the Veimoana Partnership currently stands at $150 million(US$105.72 million) worth which will be spread across five years.
This funding will be used to benefit rugby across the region with main activities being increased in competition between Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and Australian teams, both men’s and women’s rugby.
There is direct investment into pathways, high performance academies, and also some of those off the field positions, including rugby administration, match officials, coaching, and so on.
Daniel had used Fiji as a success story, with the creation of the Fiji Drua those benefits are felt right across the nation as the core group of Fijian players playing together weekend, week out, and then those results are then transfer to the national team.
Fiji’s economic benefit was also pointed out after Fiji last year, earned $120 million with Fiji Drua playing home matches in Fiji, so the partnership also opens pathways for rugby tourism, benefiting hotels and resorts.
The hope is for Samoa to have their own team in Super Rugby with partnerships, it is about building the foundations for Samoa.
Daniel added that rugby unites the Pacific and Australia, as we have shared heroes, shared achievements, and to bring people together. The partnership will bring Samoa and Australia and the region together through a shared love of rugby.
