𝐅𝐢𝐣𝐢 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭 𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐚 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

Fiji and St Kilda Football Club Launch Historic Partnership

SUVA, 16 SEPTEMBER 2025: The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and St Kilda Football Club have today announced a landmark three-year partnership, marking a new chapter in sporting and cultural exchange between Fiji and Australia.

The agreement positions Fiji as St Kilda’s first international partner, expanding the Saints’ presence in the Pacific while creating pathways for Australian Rules Football to grow locally.

Hon. Viliame Gavoka, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, welcomed the partnership as a milestone moment for both Fiji’s tourism sector and its sporting community. “This partnership goes beyond sport—it is about fostering connections, creating opportunities for our youth, and showcasing Fiji’s warmth, talent, and culture on a global stage,” Minister Gavoka said.

Beyond sport, the partnership serves as a major opportunity to showcase Fiji as a leading holiday destination for Australians. With AFL’s passionate fan base spread widely across Australia, the collaboration allows Fiji’s unique culture, warm hospitality, and world-class experiences to be profiled through the Saints’ platforms. From digital storytelling to fan engagement and travel offers, the partnership will help strengthen Fiji’s visibility in one of its most important visitor markets and inspire more Australians to choose Fiji for their next holiday.

“We see this as an exciting platform to inspire young Fijians, support our communities, and strengthen people-to-people ties between Fiji and Australia. At the same time, it offers a powerful avenue to promote Fiji as a joyful, authentic destination to the passionate AFL community.”

St Kilda Chief Executive Officer Carl Dilena said the deal opens the door to a wide range of initiatives, both commercially and in the community. “We are incredibly excited to announce our partnership with Fiji,” Dilena said. “This first-of-its-kind deal opens the door to a wide range of initiatives, both commercially and in the community. From player camps and talent identification to tourism activations, we’re approaching this partnership with great ambition and an open mind. We’ll also incorporate Fiji into our STK Business program from 2026, creating opportunities for partners to connect and unlock new trade and tourism pathways.”

“Fiji is a vibrant hub of Pacific trade and tourism, and the chance to share our game and club across the country is just as important. Through footy clinics, education and wellbeing programs, we’ll support local communities and inspire young Fijians to reach their full potential.”

While there are no immediate plans for an official AFL match in Fiji, the Saints will maintain a strong presence across the islands through grassroots clinics, talent development initiatives, and brand activations.

To celebrate the partnership, St Kilda has launched a Fiji Saints Membership, which is free for all Fijian citizens. Members will gain exclusive access to tailored content, updates on future club visits, and invitations to special events and clinics. Additional benefits will be revealed in the coming months.

Saints fans and members in Australia will also benefit, with exclusive travel offers, experiences and content highlighting Fiji as part of the agreement. Tourism Fiji branding will feature prominently at club events, across digital platforms, and at AFL and AFLW matches.

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To read more of the Hon Gavoka’s address please click here: https://bit.ly/4nGy9mV