For the first time ever local players who are playing in the Skipper Cup competition have signed a contract with the Fiji Rugby Union and will be paid after every game during the competition.
FRU CEO John O’Connor has confirmed this after the FRU Annual General Meeting that was held at the Tanoa Plaza Hotel in Suva today.
O’Connor says this is possible due to the increase in sponsorship to the competition this year from $360,000 last year to $500,000 this year.
Forty players from the eight teams in the Skipper Cup have signed their contract with the FRU while coaches, managers and strength and conditioning coaches are paid according to their level of qualification and if they have the criteria required.
O’Connor adds that this will also enable them to develop talented players and FRU has been struggling to keep them from overseas clubs.
This will also enable overseas clubs to pay FRU the transfer fees if players are offered contracts from overseas in the future.
Meanwhile the FRU has recorded a profit of $281,000 last year.
In 2016 they had achieved a profit of $1.05 million as it was the Olympic year and there were additional grants from the government.
Based on their 2017 achievement the advantage is that FRU will be able to re-apply for a seat at the World Rugby Council.
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