Ba Rugby Union appears a step closer to a landmark upgrade after officials revealed plans to turn the Ba Market Bure into a fully equipped clubhouse — a move that could make Ba the first provincial union in Fiji to operate from such a base. The proposal, tabled and positively discussed at the union’s Annual General Meeting on Friday, forms a central plank of BRU’s new three-year development plan aimed at strengthening operations both on and off the field.
The Ba Town Council has granted the union a 20-year lease for the Market Bure site, which BRU intends to renovate to include administrative offices, a gym and on-site accommodation for players, particularly those travelling from interior and rural areas. Vinod Patel Park will remain Ba’s primary competition ground, with the proposed clubhouse intended to serve as an administrative and training hub rather than a match venue.
BRU secretary Gabby Kautoga said the idea drew strong support in AGM discussions but stressed the proposal still requires formal endorsement from the union’s affiliated clubs before any work proceeds. “We’ll need approval from our members on how we’re going to move on with our next project, which is the clubhouse,” Kautoga told this newspaper. “We’re looking at starting in the next few months. We have to have our clubhouse.”
Kautoga confirmed a building has already been identified for the project — the Ba Market Bure — but said the union will not commit to renovation or construction until clubs have signed off. Funding remains the key outstanding issue: the union intends to renovate rather than build anew, and plans to install essential facilities including a gym and accommodation, but the total cost has yet to be determined and will be finalised after member approval.
If realised, officials say the clubhouse would provide a significant boost to Ba Rugby’s long-term development pathways, offering a centralised location for administration, strength and conditioning work, and temporary lodging for players travelling from outlying districts. The facility is expected to help reduce barriers faced by players from the interiors — who often face costly travel and accommodation challenges — and to create a stable base for coaches, selectors and administrators as the union implements its three-year plan.
Next steps include formal voting or endorsement by the BRU’s affiliated clubs and the development of a detailed budget and funding strategy. Kautoga’s timeline points to the possibility of starting preliminary works in the coming months, but any construction or major renovation will hinge on club approval and confirmed financing. The proposal marks the most concrete move so far under Ba’s new development agenda and, if completed, would set a benchmark among Fiji’s provincial rugby unions for infrastructure and player support.
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