Sports diplomacy
SPORTS will be at the heart of stronger business and trade relations between Queensland and Fiji, said Queensland Investment and Trade (QIT) chief executive officer Justin McGowan as QIT’s Pacific Trade Mission ended its week-long visit to Fiji yesterday.
“Sport is fundamental to Queensland’s engagement with the Pacific, so it is fitting that on our final day in Fiji, we are surrounded by local children learning new skills from Queensland legends of union and league with Pasifika heritage,” Mr McGowan said.
“There are almost 70,000 people born in Fiji living in Australia, with around 20 per cent living in Queensland.
“As Australia’s gateway to the Pacific, Queensland has longstanding historical connections to the region through business, education and sport and is committed to two-way trade and investment for mutually beneficial outcomes.”
Yesterday, former Wallaby Radike Samo and Bronco legend Alex Glenn brought the curtain down on the Fiji leg of QIT’s Pacific Trade Mission with a sports clinic in Nadi to identify new local talent across both codes.
“Queensland is a sporting powerhouse, home to the Queensland Reds and four NRL teams,” Mr McGowan said.
“Australia will host the Rugby World Cup in 2027 and Brisbane is the host city of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Queensland’s sporting prowess is an opportunity to deploy sports diplomacy and galvanise a strong, stable and prosperous Pacific region.”
QIT’s first Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner for the Pacific, Leata Alaimoana said two of Queensland’s great loves — rugby league and rugby union — were showcased at the Nadi clinic, “as was the incredible talent of the youth that exists in Fiji”.
“Our hope is that this clinic will unearth the next Petero Civoniceva or Radike Samo.
“It’s events like these that further strengthen the close ties between Fiji and Queensland.
“As we continue growing trade links with the Pacific and its people, sport will always play an important role in our special shared relationship.”
Queensland players featured in the sports clinics included former Broncos Alex Glenn and David Mead, former Reds Radike Samo and Digby Ioane and development coaches the from Fijian Drua and both codes in Queensland.
The Trade Mission incorporated high level meetings with Fijian and Samoan ministers, as well as Queensland and local businesses and sports bodies.