The struggles of club rugby in Fiji can be very real at times: difficulties finding compliant grounds, clubs which travel great distances and experience transport issues, and cash flow from delayed income payments can all pile pressure on the volunteer union officials who are just trying to get the games played.
Hosting costs really seem to be mounting in 2024, and as Ba is without a ground that can charge an entrance fee, the cash heads in only one direction – outwards.
“Like many unions, cash flow is a real issue for us,” BRU Secretary Gaby Kautoga admitted. “Ba Rugby has been fortunate to have the support of some very good sponsors, but our finances are challenged week by week.”
“During the Skipper Cup and Ranadi Cup, our expenses to run the three teams came to $6,000 to $7,000 a week. And now, to run the club rugby and look after the 38 teams in the competition, we still need to spend up to $2,000 a week.”
“In the last round, we spent more than $500 on ground fees alone; and mostly we have to prepare the grounds ourselves – pay for the steamroller, cut the grass, mark out the lines, erect the posts and even clear broken glass from some grounds,” Kautoga said.
“None of the grounds we use have any shelter or power, so we have to hire tents and a generator for the PA system.”
“It’s not a complaint, just a matter of fact.”
In order to try and meet the running costs of the club rugby, Ba Rugby has been chasing up debtors, some dating as far back as last year.
“We have also been pressing clubs to bring their registration fees up to date. The total amount of these fees won’t cover our costs, but it would keep us going until the knock-out stages when we can erect the awning and charge spectators to come in.”
“We do appreciate that some clubs find it hard to raise the fee, even though at $300 it’s probably the cheapest in Fiji.”
“Other than that, everything is great,” the talatala smiled.
Taking some games up to Nadarivatu in Savatu and Nasivikoso in Magodro last month gave the far-off clubs something extra to cheer about.
“It’s something we would like to do more of, but again it comes down to finances.”
“The two games played at Nasivikoso were very well received by the locals, and afterwards the hosts twisted the arms of the Sasa players to stay overnight. So, it becomes about much more than simply rugby. This is about camaraderie, friendship, village links and new experiences.”
Meanwhile, back in Ba Town, the Police Rugby Team has started its own initiative to improve links between clubs while simultaneously reducing crime.
Because many of the officers work on Saturdays, they requested BRU for their games to be played in the late afternoon – and in Round 4 after they lost narrowly 10-13 to Nadelei from Savatu, the Police vehicles pulled up and the Nadelei players were ordered to get in.
“There was natural hesitation at first, as the players didn’t know what was in store for them’” Kautoga chuckled, “but the Police took their visitors back to the station for an after-match function and to conduct awareness issues in the community.”
“Now the Police Rugby Club has said they’d like to do this after every match. It’s a marvellous model to reduce the crime rate and we thank them for seeing the power of rugby as a communication tool.”
Today at Vinod Patel Park, the Police team face Ba Close Green & Gold in Pool C at 3:30pm, so coach Semi Driso and his crew had better be on best behaviour.
