EVERYTHING’S going up. Not just fuel prices and sea levels, but it feels like everything around rugby is also increasing.
By the time Ba Rugby has covered the players’ bus fares, food, medical, accommodation, match fees and coaching costs for the three provincial teams, the total rises above $10,000 per week.
And that’s without uniforms and equipment.
“We are fighting hard to keep our costs down,” BRU secretary Gaby Kautoga said, “but at times it feels like a losing battle.
“The only thing we can do is to look for more income.”
Adding to these inflationary pressures are the added hosting costs implemented this season by Fiji Rugby to offset their own historical deficits in running the provincial tournaments.
Each host union must now pay for the match officials and match management team, a sum of around $2500 each week that was previously borne by the parent body.
“We understand the reasons why FRU made the changes, and we accept them,” Kautoga said.
“It’s just difficult with everything else also going up.”
The Vinod Patel Ba men’s team wanted to camp again this week as they prepared for Tailevu’s arrival today. But cost became an issue.
So, to the rescue came the Vanua — different villages each day helping out with the catering for the 35 hungry players.
“This past week, Togalevu, Sorokoba, Toge and Nailaga have taken it in turns to provide the main meals for the boys, even consulting with each other on the menus to get a variety of foods for the players.”
“Next week, Votua, Natalecake and Koronubu have confirmed that they’ll be doing the cooking,” Kautoga said.
It’s a great initiative where the vanua get to help the team hands on and witness the daily lives of the province’s top players.
“We are extremely grateful to the villages who have stepped forward to help the cause. Their support has also helped to lift the spirits of the boys after their narrow loss to Suva last week.”
“It won’t get any easier either,” he said.
“After this Tailevu game, we have five away matches in a row and that means no gate income to offset the costs.”
“All the provincial unions are in the same position. I think we’re all finding it really hard this season.”
For the three games against Tailevu today, the gates at 4R Stadium, Govind Park, open at 10am with tickets being a flat $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.
