St Kilda Football Club is thrilled to announce a landmark partnership with the idyllic island nation of Fiji. The club has signed a three-year agreement with the Fijian Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, marking a bold step forward in expanding the Saints’ international presence while also helping embed Australian Rules Football within the Fijian community.
“We are incredibly excited to announce our partnership with Fiji,” St Kilda Chief Executive Officer Carl Dilena said. “This groundbreaking 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 – a place where happiness comes naturally. By bringing our game and club to communities across the country, we aim to give back through clinics, education and wellbeing programs that inspire young Fijians to thrive.”
Made up of 333 sun-kissed islands, Fiji is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, colourful marine life, and a culture defined by warmth, hospitality and a love of sport. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation the Hon. Viliame Gavoka 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. “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.”
While there are no current plans to play an official AFL match in Fiji, the Saints will maintain a strong presence across the country through community engagement and brand activations. AFL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Dillon said the partnership would have an important impact on the development of the game internationally.
“St Kilda and their partnership with Fiji will help take our game to more people,” Dillon said. “In conjunction with our local team on the ground, the Saints will partner in clinics, talent programs and community engagement which is an important part of having people connect with footy on some level.”
To celebrate the historic partnership, St Kilda has launched a Fiji Saints Membership. Free for all Fijian citizens, the membership provides exclusive access to tailored content, updates on future club visits to the islands, and invitations to special events and clinics. Additional member benefits will be revealed in the coming months.
“This is more than a partnership – it’s a shared vision, and we can’t wait to see where this journey takes us,” Dilena said.
Saints members and fans will also benefit, with exclusive travel offers, experiences and content to be unveiled as part of the agreement. Tourism Fiji’s branding will feature prominently at club events, across digital platforms, and at AFL and AFLW matches.
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REFERENCES: This guide is based on over a decade of research and firsthand experience living in Fiji. It incorporates extensive knowledge gained through long-term residence and ongoing engagement with the region. Images and text have been sourced from official references, which are acknowledged below, to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness.
FOOTNOTES: Additional details, clarifications, or sources referenced in this article are included as Footnotes below the text when applicable; otherwise, no Footnotes are provided.