FRU to regulate recruitment agencies in Fiji under four-part criteria
No rugby recruitment agency can operate in Fiji without the approval and endorsement of its application by the Fiji Rugby Union’s board of directors, the FRU’s acting chief executive officer, Koli Sewabu, told delegates at the FRU Symposium in Suva. Agencies would be permitted to operate only if they meet a four-part criteria, which sits under the Fiji Rugby Football Limited Constitution and Section 74 of the Articles of Association.
The four criteria are:
1) The agency’s application to set up must comply with Fiji law, including employment regulations, and with World Rugby policies and FRU rules on recruitment agencies. Sewabu said the policy is currently being drafted and will undergo consultations before the board endorses and approves it.
2) The agency must register as a Fiji-based business with the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations and with the Fiji Rugby Union.
3) The agency must pay the relevant fees specified in the regulations, which will be outlined once the policy is endorsed.
4) The agency’s registration will be reviewed every two years to ensure ongoing, strict monitoring.
Sewabu noted that recruitment agencies have a legitimate role to play in developing Fiji’s rugby players’ professional careers, but FRU has a paramount duty to protect players’ welfare, safety and interests, who remain the sport’s greatest assets.
Context and implications
This move mirrors a broader FRU push to modernize governance and development pathways in Fiji rugby. Previous reform efforts have focused on strengthening player registration, improving development programs, and formalizing pathways from school level to domestic and international opportunities. The new framework signals a more organized, transparent approach to talent development and could help curb exploitation by rogue agents while safeguarding minors and families.
What this means for players, clubs and agents
– Clear licensing: Agencies will need board approval and strict adherence to laws and FRU/world rugby policies.
– Compliance and fees: Registration fees will be defined in the policy, with ongoing annual or periodic financial obligations.
– Regular oversight: Biannual reviews will help maintain standards and deter non-compliance.
– Player protection: The framework aims to shield young players and ensure their career pathways are properly managed within Fiji’s rugby ecosystem.
Outlook
The policy’s development is a positive step toward a safer, more transparent recruitment environment that supports both local development and responsible overseas opportunities. If implemented effectively, it could strengthen talent pipelines, reduce disputes, and enhance the overall sustainability of Fiji rugby.
Summary
The FRU’s four-part framework to regulate recruitment agencies seeks board approval, legal and regulatory compliance, business registration, fixed fees, and biennial reviews, all aimed at protecting players and professionalizing Fiji’s recruitment landscape while aligning with broader governance and development efforts.
Editor’s notes
– Expect a detailed licensing process and guidance for schools, clubs and families once the policy is endorsed.
– Monitor for potential timelines and transitional provisions as the FRU finalizes the framework.
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