Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) Board chairman John Sanday has outlined the ambitious plans for Fiji rugby as the nation gears up for a significant year in the sport. Sanday highlighted the upcoming Rugby Nations Cup as a pivotal event, marking Fiji’s first venture into the global commercial landscape of rugby.
Reflecting on recent experiences from a northern tour, Sanday shared insights gained about how major tier-one unions operate both on and off the field. He emphasized the importance of bringing those lessons back to Fiji, stating, “We need to start playing at this level as an organization.”
Central to this ambition is the need for clubs to adopt a professional mindset in their operations. Sanday encouraged clubs to analyze their weekly games through a profit and loss lens. He urged teams to project crowd attendance, revenue generated, and how they can improve each week based on the learnings from prior matches.
The chairman articulated that this drive towards professionalization will be an ongoing journey. “It’s about the professionalization. We want to send that message down,” he said, referring to efforts in branding and data analytics that are being developed at a global level. Sanday’s vision is to align clubs and unions with international best practices.
Looking to the future, Sanday was optimistic about Fiji’s potential growth on the global rugby stage. He acknowledged that while progress may take time, there is confidence that collective efforts will elevate Fiji to tier-one status and help them achieve their ultimate goal of winning the World Cup.
With a focus on professional development, strategic planning, and learning from experienced rugby nations, Sanday’s leadership marks an exciting new chapter for Fiji rugby as it strives to leave a lasting impact on the international arena.
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