The Fiji Rugby Football Union (FRFU) is facing significant challenges as its new board takes office, according to acting CEO Koli Sewabu. Following the General Assembly, Sewabu noted that much of the previous year was spent addressing inherited issues while getting accustomed to the new governance framework.
He highlighted that the board’s primary challenge stems from existing agreements made prior to their appointment, which they are obligated to uphold even as they transition into new leadership roles. “The new board came in and there are already agreements in place, so we had to honour that agreement and then we had to try and familiarise ourselves with the governance and the administration of Fiji Rugby and its new structure,” Sewabu explained.
One of the major hurdles faced by the FRFU has been compliance, with many unions not fully meeting the necessary requirements. Sewabu acknowledged the complexity of these issues, stating, “There were game management issues under our terms of participation… if we take a hard stance on compliance, then there’s no teams playing in our competition, so we have to find innovative ways of working with our unions on how we can address that.”
Player registration has also posed significant operational challenges, compounded by the absence of a comprehensive database. Sewabu emphasized the need for a robust system to facilitate player registration and overall development, which has been lacking thus far. He pointed out the excitement surrounding various rugby pathways, from primary to provincial levels, but stressed that the supporting systems still require strengthening.
“We need to look at the systems and the structures that should shape these pathways, which we believe are currently loose and need strengthening,” he added. Additionally, Sewabu reflected on the absence of a fully endorsed strategic plan within FRFU, which has led to inconsistent management across various sectors.
The aim of a recent symposium was to engage stakeholders in identifying solutions, ultimately laying the groundwork for a strategic plan that will guide Fiji Rugby’s direction over the next decade. Sewabu expressed optimism about finalizing this plan shortly, stating, “We hope to start 2026 with a much clearer vision, objectives and direction of where we want to go for the next 10 years.”
With these efforts, the Fiji Rugby Football Union is poised to strengthen its foundations and develop a more cohesive approach to rugby management in the coming years.
Leave a comment