The Fiji Rugby Union says it is ready to support World Rugby’s new strategic plan to help grow the game outside key markets in the UK and France, with the US market being a global target.
This was one of the key-talking points during the 17th World Rugby General Assembly which was held at the Guild Hall in London on September 24.
FRU Board chairman John Sanday was part of the assembly and said that several key matters fundamental to the game’s sustainability and growth were discussed and tabled.
“There was a strong need for more diversification of the sport, given that the game depends mainly on just a few profitable events (Rugby World Cups) and a few markets of scale. For example, 90 per cent of World Rugby revenues come from men’s RWC and two-thirds of the games revenues and World Rugby revenues come from just two markets, the UK and France.
“On the other side, the number of member unions has trebled in the last 35 years and now stands at 134 and they mostly rely on World Rugby funding to help them run their unions.
“Based on this, there was a need to invest in new markets, and a Growth Market Plan has been set for growing rugby in the largest sporting market in the world, USA,” he said.
With that, Sanday said it would be beneficial for Fiji Rugby to support this plan.
“It would be in our interest to see the growth of rugby in the USA market so we can supply our players, coaches and other specialists into that market as a pathway for employment and remittances.”
The overall emphasis of this new strategy was to focus on strengthening and sustaining the game.
Meanwhile, Sanday also had meetings with several key strategic advisers and firms to position Fiji Rugby into a stronger position in the global commercial arena.
The FRU board chairman said these would be announced once a final agreement was reached and the board approves.
