Fiji’s culture was showcased to a national audience at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium as St Kilda Football Club celebrated its partnership with Fiji during the AFL Cultural Heritage Series.

The Saints wore a special “Bula” guernsey during their match against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday, featuring designs inspired by traditional Fijian Masi art and storytelling.

The guernsey highlights two significant Masi patterns: Ibe, representing the natural environment and the shared beauty of Fiji and Australia, and a community design symbolising the connection between St Kilda, the Fijian community and the broader Australian community.

Masi is a traditional Fijian cloth made from the inner bark of the paper mulberry tree and is used during important cultural occasions, including weddings, births and funerals. Its geometric patterns and natural dyes have long served as a form of cultural expression and identity.

The AFL Cultural Heritage Series recognises the diverse cultural backgrounds of players, supporters and communities across Australian football.

The match followed St Kilda’s recent AFLW pre-season camp in Fiji, where players engaged with local communities and experienced Fijian culture as part of the club’s ongoing partnership.

St Kilda said the initiative aimed to strengthen sporting and cultural connections between Fiji and Australia while providing a platform to share Fijian heritage with AFL audiences.

The partnership also highlights the growing relationship between Australian sporting organisations and Pacific communities, using football as a way to build cultural understanding and community links.

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