The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have announced a three-year partnership with the Kaiviti Silktails, with Fijian talent gaining a direct route to the club’s pathways programs.

The Bulldogs and the Silktails, who currently play in NSWRL’s Jersey Flegg Cup, will align ahead of the 2025 season, ending their partnership with the Roosters.

Former NRL star Wes Naqaima coaches the Silktails who finished last in their respective competition, with chairman Petero Civoniceva explaining his organisation is “excited”.

“There were just so many reasons why this deal made sense for us,” he said in a statement.

“Watching the rise of their NRL team this year was something that won the hearts of all rugby league fans.

“The rise of the NRL team has been built on what Phil Gould and Adam Hartigan have done with their Pathways Program and to align ourselves with a strong program was paramount for us.”

Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould is in Suva, Fiji to broker the partnership, and explained star recruit Viliame Kikau had an influence on the deal.

“Over the past two seasons the Bulldogs have increased our commitment to the game in Fiji, particularly on the back of bringing Viliame Kikau to our club,” Gould said.

“Since then, we have established ‘The Kikau Academy’ in Fiji and our Ron Massey Cup and Jersey Flegg teams have played in Fiji three times in the last twelve months to help promote this.

“Partnering now with the Silktails is an extension of our commitment to Rugby League in Fiji.”

Taking to X, Gould also took a picture with two rising Fijian stars who are set to join the Bulldogs’ pathways program.

One, an 18-year-old who will join Canterbury’s SG Ball side, and another who was only 14 years of age but was already north of six foot tall.

“Two young Bulldog recruits I won’t tell you their names. They will make their own names,” Gould wrote.