The next 10 days are crucial and a “tipping point” for the future of rugby in Fiji, says Fijian Drua chief executive officer Mark Evans.
On Saturday, provincial unions and associate oganisations will vote for the Board of Fiji Rakavi Football Union Ltd Board.
This Board replaces the former Fiji Rugby Union Board, tasked with governing the sport in the country.
Evans, who last Saturday launched the Drua Academy program, said: “This weekend we have the election at the AGM of the new FRU Operational Board under the new, much improved constitution, which gives every provincial union and association an equal vote and a real chance to help decide on the leadership and direction of the organisation.
“Then next week we have the election of the new chair and ExCo of World Rugby, which will have a huge impact one way or another on Fijian Rugby.”
The Drua CEO said the new Executive Committee of World Rugby could influence Fiji’s entry into a new competition which will change the game in terms of revenue for sport in Fiji and high-performance progress for players.
“I’m hopeful that the newly elected leadership of World Rugby will be supportive of our efforts to gain entry into the Nations Cup from 2026.
“With more games against Tier 1 countries, both home and away, we will have a chance to reset the whole FRU business model and be able to become increasingly financially resilient and capable of investing more in grassroots and pathways as well as maintaining investment in the national teams’ programmes.
“If all goes well, I think we may look back on this week in a few years’ time as a tipping point in our journey to get to the top table of the sport.”
Meanwhile, Evans didn’t respond to questions about whether he has been shortlisted for a Board Director position on the new Fiji Rakavi Football Union Ltd Board.
Times Sport understands that Evans has been nominated by a number of leading provincial unions in the country for a spot on the Board.
The all-important FRFU Ltd Board elections will be held this Saturday in Suva. This election is mandated under the new constitution endorsed by rugby unions in Fiji as well as World Rugby.
