RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP:
Funds to boost Fijian Bati’s preps. Former players propose to set-up junior academy.
Fiji National Rugby League submits $800k budget to Fiji National Sports Commission
The Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) had submitted its budget of $800,000 to the Fiji National Sports Commission.
FNRL acting chairman Don Natabe said yesterday the proposed funds would be directed to the Vodafone Fijian Bati’s preparations for next year’s Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) in England.
The RLWC will be from October 23, 2021 to November 27, 2021.
“The funds will cater for the Fijian Bati team throughout the campaign,” Natabe said.
“That will be the team’s allowance when they’ll be training here in the country and when they leave for England.
“That should be enough to host the players while they are camping in Fiji and preparing for the World Cup.”
Natabe said when bringing in players from overseas, who are playing in the National Rugby League (NRL) competition, they have to meet certain criteria in terms of meals, High Performance training, insurance and accommodation. “For those things we’ve to provide assurance to their (NRL) clubs that we can provide them (players) those minimum requirements.
“That’s why we need such substantial amount just exclusively for their preparations. The players allowance for the RLWC will be subsidised by the Rugby League International Federations (RLIF).
“The funds is going to come from what is collected from the World Cup.”
Natabe said because of the COVID-19 pandemic all sporting organisations were on survival mode, so they would use whatever was given to them.
“We understand the fact that Government prioritises funding to essential services and other important issues. We will adjust to what the Government will give during the national budget announcement.”
Proposal
Meanwhile, FNRL board chairman and Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander, Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto, also confirmed to SUNsports that they had received a proposal for the setting-up of a junior academy.
The proposal came from the Fiji Rugby League Players Association.
The association led by president, Pio Kubuwai along with Wise Kativerata, presented their proposal to the FNRL board of directors, last Thursday.
The former Bati players want to assist the FNRL development officers on their outreach programme throughout the country.
“We had discussions with them online during our board meeting,” Naupoto said.
“The board is looking into their proposal and are looking to make a decision according to what we see best fit for rugby league in the country. The proposal as we see is good and involves the development of rugby league and the talent of our people is important and worth looking at.
“It is a matter of setting it in place and the right mechanism given that it’s between two countries.
“We have people here in Fiji while that group is based in Australia so we should remember all the legal and business procedures that needs to be followed.
“We have to make sure that we have the correct connections to those groups overseas.”
Naupoto said they have a development pathway in the country through the Kaiviti Silktails, but they also need to have a look at it as well.
“We are glad with the interest towards development; we just need make sure that whatever mechanism is put in place- is placed correctly.
“That is because we don’t any violate rules and regulations as far as FNRL is concerned.”