At the recent Special General Meeting of the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU), player registration emerged as a prominent topic of discussion. While player registration is typically straightforward, it has become a complicated issue in Fiji.
In a recent development, Vatukoula has successfully secured promotion to the Skipper Cup after winning an appeal regarding the eligibility of a player fielded by Namosi, who had previously registered with the Suva team. Conversely, Ba’s appeal on a similar matter was dismissed when it was discovered that a player represented Vatutavui Village while also competing for a club in Vatukoula.
To address the ongoing issues with player registration, the FRU is in the process of creating a comprehensive database to facilitate proper registration for all club players across Fiji. This initiative aims to significantly cut down on the time spent resolving disputes arising from player eligibility.
Ba Rugby Union Secretary Gaby Kautoga expressed the challenges faced during the previous club season, which was marred by frequent protests. He highlighted that the union needs to allocate its resources more effectively towards development rather than addressing administrative disputes.
In response to these challenges, Ba Rugby Union has initiated a plan to register every player, referee, medic, and coach associated with its teams, providing them with photo ID cards. This solution, while time-consuming, is viewed as an essential investment to streamline player management and enhance player benefits, including insurance.
In a related idea from the FRU, there are considerations for ensuring that all seven-a-side (7s) teams in Fiji are officially registered with provincial unions, fielding only registered players. However, Kautoga acknowledged that this could be complex, as many players prefer to form their own 7s teams or join other clubs, potentially limiting opportunities for individual players.
Kautoga noted the success of players from Ba in recent tournaments, emphasizing that these experiences provide significant opportunities for them. He concluded that perhaps the traditional, flexible structure of 7s rugby, which allows player movement, should remain unchanged to keep fostering talent and opportunities in Fiji.
This proactive approach to player registration and development illustrates a commitment to enhancing the rugby landscape in Fiji, making it more organized while also encouraging individual success and teamwork among players. The hope is that these steps will lead to better administration and ultimately, a stronger rugby community in Fiji.
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