One of the topics addressed during the Fiji Rugby Union’s Special General Meeting last weekend was the crucial issue of player registration, which, despite its apparent simplicity, often turns complicated in Fiji.
The recent promotion of Vatukoula to the Skipper Cup highlighted concerns around player registration. Vatukoula successfully appealed against Namosi, who had fielded a player improperly registered with Suva during the promotion play-offs. Earlier this year, Ba’s own appeal against Vatukoula was rejected after it was discovered that a player representing Vatutavui Village had also been actively competing for a club in Vatukoula.
To combat ongoing disputes and ensure proper administration, the Fiji Rugby Union is in the process of developing a comprehensive database for player registration. This initiative aims to prevent time-consuming protests that have become a routine occurrence in the rugby community, particularly for Ba, which has dealt with frequent protests throughout the club season.
Gaby Kautoga, secretary of the Ba Rugby Union, expressed the goal of using their resources more productively toward player development rather than sorting through administrative disputes. As part of the solution, the Ba Rugby Union plans to register every player, referee, medic, and coach involved with the club, providing them all with photo ID cards. Kautoga believes that though this is a significant undertaking, it will ultimately pay off, as players will only need to register once. Important benefits of the initiative also include insurance and enhanced privileges for players.
Discussing another aspect of player registration, there has been a proposition from the Fiji Rugby Union that all 7s teams should also be formally registered with their respective provincial unions and only feature registered players. While recognizing the potential challenges of this system, Kautoga noted that many players form their own 7s teams or join other squads, which has historically worked well in Fiji. He pointed out recent successes of players from Ba in various tournaments, showcasing how these experiences could lead to more opportunities for the youth.
Kautoga concluded that for now, it might be best to allow the 7s players their freedom, as the tradition of open player movement seems to foster a strong rugby culture in Fiji.
This approach highlights a positive shift toward better organization and support for the players while maintaining the vibrant, grassroots nature of rugby in the islands. By focusing on development and proper administration, Fiji rugby can potentially enhance its talent pool and ensure the continued success of its teams on both local and international stages.
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