The Fiji Rugby Union has expressed its disappointment in a circular to all unions involved in the Vodafone Vanua Championship about several complaints received from respective under 19 and women’s teams that the grants being released by the FRU are only being directed towards senior men’s teams.
In the circular, FRU CEO John O'Connor wrote that the only support the under 19 and women's teams were receiving is their transport costs to the various venues.
O'Connor also wrote that he has reviewed the acquittals and noted that some unions are using their grants to pay the allowances of their senior players.
He also wrote that the grant released from Fiji Rugby is to assist the unions in preparing their teams for matches and was never intended for allowance for senior players, denying the under 19 and the women's teams appropriate preparation funding.
O'Connor also wrote that effective immediately, they will not accept acquittals for any payment of the allowance.
He also urged unions to fund the allowances of their senior players from their own funds either through gate takings or their own sponsorship.
O'Connor further wrote that if they received any further complaints in the near future in this regard, they will consider holding any further release of grants to unions and release it directly to under 19 and women's teams.
