The Interim Administrator of the Fiji Rugby Football Union Trust Board or FRU, Simione Valenitabua is now taking immediate steps to ensure that the FRU complies with the laws of the land and also looks after the best interests of the players, unions and all affiliates.
Valenitabua says some of the immediate steps to be taken are to impose good governance, financial controls and restructure consistent with FRU's charitable trust nature, and renegotiate sponsorships and contracts.
They are looking at ways to create more revenue at no costs and minimise expenditure when funding is available.
Other immediate steps include meeting with World Rugby to get its endorsement on the way forward to comply with and operate under, the Charitable Trusts Act 1945, and review player welfare and safety protocols and take proposals to the interim board of trustees appointed by the Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga on the Interim Administrator’s strategic plan for FRU in both the long and short term.
He says he will also conduct wide consultations with all unions and affiliates of FRU to listen to their challenges and needs, incorporating and accommodating the resolutions in the draft amended constitution for discussion at the Special General Meeting.
Valenitabua says they will amend the FRU Constitution 1997 to be consistent with the governing Act, establish the Trusts for all unions and register all clubs of unions at the Titles Office so that they be recognized as autonomous legal entities that can lawfully engage with their sponsors and donors without the need for FRU to micro-manage.
He says they will also streamline operations through relevant Standard Operating Procedures, manuals and policies.
They will review programmes because there are many but a few resources.
Valenitabua says the legal implication if they don't do this will continue the cycle of illegality, confusion and detriment.
The FRU’s Interim Administrator says the players at the end of the day will continue to suffer and in drastic instances, could even lose their life.
Valenitabua adds that a user-friendly system needs to be weaved into place so that the incoming executives under the new Constitution do not have to burden themselves with this necessary and imperative exercise.
He says it is also difficult to start something afresh than working off a proven template.
Valenitabua is aware of challenges some international unions have gone through that are similar to what FRU is going through at the moment.
He says they will call on their precedents and case studies.
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