Fiji NSW Cup Bid allowing contenders for equal partnership

Petero Civoniceva’s group, which has been working to get a Fijian team in the New South Wales Cup Rugby League Competition, is willing to consider new partners - if they can contribute financially. This was in reaction to the late call by Fiji National Rugby League to be an equal partner.

The bid for Fiji’s rugby league participation at the 2017 New South Wales (NSW) Cup is now going through the final process. The Fiji NSW Cup Bid released a statement to SUNSports stating they are allowing contenders for equal partnership and discussions will proceed. “We are open to accepting equity partners who can and will contribute long term value to the NSW Cup bid team and that we will have these discussions and make a decision in due course.”

FNRL chief executive officer Timoci Naleba had earlier said: “No doubt that the initiative looks good on paper, but there is still a lot to be considered on the viability of the project.” On the NSW Cup bid, Naleba says, FNRL is confident that bid team co-ordinator and rugby league legend Civoniceva will be supportive of FNRL’s stand and they are looking forward to closing the deal soon. “Secondly, the FNRL board have made it clear that it would like to be an equal partner.” Naleba said there have been discussions on the issue and hopefully FNRL would be able to sign-up with the bid team and others involved on mutually agreed terms. Despite questions, SUNSports is yet to receive a response from FNRL on their source of funding for an equal partnership. Edited by Jonathan Bryce