Pathway programs in Fiji have helped transform their national women's rugby league side, and now they are on the precipice of making history.
The Fiji Bulikula will play their first Women's Rugby League World Cup game when they take on New Zealand in Newcastle on Sunday.
It's been a long time coming for the side that looked to make the global showpiece event in 2021 only to be denied by the Rugby League International Federation when it announced Brazil and France would compete instead.
In 2024, the Pacific nation had a golden opportunity to secure their World Cup berth, but Samoa scored two tries in the last 15 minutes of their Pacific Championship clash to dent their dreams.
Regardless, the team were given one last shot, an intercontinental competition in Canada, which they won.
Despite missing out on the tournament in 2021, Fijian grassroots programs have continued to grow, and it's paid off as a number of their World Cup representatives were brought through the local system.
Fullback Cassie Staples says the addition of the local athletes, which include her Cronulla teammates Leilani Ahsam and Nani Vakacavu, has helped the Bulikula stamp their authority on international women's rugby league.
"I met Nani back in 2024 ... I met Leilani last year at our World Cup qualifier over in Canada, and both were incredible finds and obviously have a lot to give to the game of rugby league," Staples said.
"They're quite talented, and that's the benefit and the upside of exposing NRLW coaches to programs and Pacific nations.
"It's really important to have access to resources, programs and all that type of stuff to grow the game back home."
Cronulla's NRLW coach Tony Herman, who is also Fiji's assistant mentor, says a former Bulikula coach Joe Dakuitoga has helped grow the program.
"Dakuitoga works really hard in that space, getting rugby league into schools, getting them to travel to play," Herman told AAP.
"A lot of the girls get picked up in the mountains ... and then the competitions that they have over there now for women's rugby league.
"To build the programs and pathways back in Fiji and give those girls something to aspire to ... is awesome."
The grassroots game is expected to grow even further as the Australian government is spending $250 million to progress the sport in Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and PNG as part of a broader $600 million cash splash to establish the PNG Chiefs.
