Fiji NSW Cup team appoint chief executive

The Fiji-based team in the New South Wales Cup has taken another step closer to reality by appointing Tia Roko as interim chief executive.

Fiji Bati legend Petero Civoniceva has been the head of a bid to secure a New South Wales Cup club in Suva, Fiji, for a number of years now.

He plans to have the team competing in the New South Wales Cup from next season onwards and they have appointed Roko as interim CEO to help Fiji’s dream of having a professional rugby league club become a reality.

On the appointment of Roko, Civoniceva said: “Tia Roko will lead the team as the CEO in getting the project solidly set up and leading the way for us until we have a new board to commence advertising and looking for a person we see best to lead us into the future.

“I have always believed in being innovative in business strategies and I believe Tia Roko is the best fit for us in moving forward. Tia has a background in developing organisational strategy and sound governance. She has expertise in engagement across sectors and working with boards to ensure organisations and businesses are compliant in their governance and strategically placed to be the best they can be.

“I am proud to announce that she is of Fijian background and the first Fijian born woman, to lead a Rugby League Club from the Pacific.

“Her role will be to helps us to set up the back end of our business including the recruitment of a solid and strategic board of directors as well as setting up compliance mechanisms to allow us to operate in Fiji and in Australia.”

The Fiji team are set to announce their board, operations and coaching staff in the coming days.