John Sanday, chairman of the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) Board of Directors, is advocating for equal treatment of women in rugby following troubling reports that Fijiana 7s players were forced to sleep in community halls during the 2025 McDonald’s Fiji’s Coral Coast 7s tournament. The players participated under the name Mount Masada, and allegations of preferential treatment arose when it became apparent that their male counterparts were accommodated in hotels.
In a recent interview, Sanday expressed his commitment to ensuring that all players, especially the women’s team, receive the professional treatment they deserve. “I’d like to see everyone being treated professionally. The women are a professional team, and they deserve professional attention,” he remarked. Sanday acknowledged the incident and apologized, assuring that steps would be taken to prevent such disparities in the future.
He emphasized the necessity of fair treatment, saying, “I look forward to that being the norm, that they are treated equally as good as the men.”
Despite the controversy, the Mount Masada team demonstrated resilience and spirit, ultimately winning the women’s division by defeating the NZ Development Women with a score of 24-7.
This situation highlights the ongoing struggles for gender equality in sports. Sanday’s commitment to improving conditions for female athletes reflects a growing acknowledgment of their professional status and an urgent need for change in the treatment of women in rugby. There is hope that this incident will lead to a more equitable approach within sports organizations moving forward, promoting fairness and respect for all athletes.
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