In a remarkable day for international rugby league, four Prime Ministers witnessed the ARL Commission sign an historic agreement with Pacific rugby league federations on Wednesday.

The statement of partnership between Pacific countries Australia, PNG, Tonga, Fiji and Samoa was ratified in Brisbane and will help encourage rugby league throughout the Pacific.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, PNG Prime Minister James Marape, Samoan PM La’auli Leuatea Schmidt and Tongan PM Lord Fakafanua united at the Sofitel Hotel to witness the landmark moment, which will be supported by a $250 million investment by the Australian Government.

The Pacific Rugby League Partnership is a historic initiative between the ARLC, the Australian Government, Pacific Governments and the rugby league federations of Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.

Supported by a $250 million investment from the Australian Government – a key part of the broader $600 million commitment to PNG – the partnership will grow rugby league across the Pacific, using the game as a catalyst for social change.

There will be a strong focus on introducing young boys and girls to rugby league early in life and building participation in the sport, including through schools.

Albanese spoke passionately about the game and the initiative.

“This has been years in the making and required hard work and diligence,” said Albanese.

“It is a partnership built on the Pacific’s deep shared passion for rugby league.

“Rugby league is about identity, it’s about who you are. It’s about who your parents supported and you connections with your local community. It’s something that can inspire and drive a community to achieve better.

“This Pacific partnership will inspire the people of these fantastic nations and together we are all one Pacific family.

“It will lift up all of us over the coming years and I have no doubt that for however long I have the privilege of occupying the position that I do, this will be right up there as one of the most significant changes that we could possibly make to improve lives. Rugby league is a game that brings people together.”

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys signed the document alongside counterparts from the PNG Rugby Football League, Tonga Rugby League XIII and Rugby League Samoa.

“This is a massive investment and part of our Pacific strategy in participation. Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and PNG will all benefit from this,” said V’landys.

“In partnership with the Federal government, we are going to introduce rugby league to all these nations and provide them with resources to ensure that rugby league is prominent in those countries.

“We will ensure we have people on the ground in schools and running competitions, so that’s what it’s about.

“We’re the No.1 most watched sport in the Pacific and this is only going to consolidate that. It will give millions of Pasikifa kids the opportunity to play rugby league in some form, be it touch, tag or contact rugby league.

“This is all part of the Papua New Guinea initiative. Some of that $600 million we got from the Federal government will go towards this. Everyone thinks it was just money for the PNG Chiefs, no it wasn’t, this is part of a wider strategy in the Pacific.

“I don’t think we will see a Pasifika NRL team but what it will lead to is more players for the code. With expansion teams, we need more players and you will see young stars coming from the Pacific. The Pacific could become the biggest nursery for the NRL with this strategy.”

Originally published as Australian government commits $250m to landmark five-country Pacific rugby league deal