The new Board of Directors will take on the responsibility of guiding the future direction of Fiji Rugby, with a focus on further developing talent, enhancing the performance of national teams, and ensuring that the sport continues to grow both in Fiji and internationally, the FRU said. 9 November 2024 Photo: Facebook / Fiji Rugby
The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) has a new-look seven-member Board, following its annual general meeting (AGM) in Suva on Saturday.
The newly elected members are: Mosese Naivalu (legal director), John Sanday (commercial director), Tevita Tuiloa (commercial director), Cathy Wong (women's director), Koli Sewabu (rugby director), Conway Beg (rugby director), and Anare Manulevu (director finance).
Begg and Tuiloa are former FRU chief executives who had fallouts with the former FRU Board during the Bainimarama administration.
Naivalu was part of the Interim Board, put in place by the current coalition government in March 2023 to oversee the restructuring of the FRU systems.
Sanday and Sewabu are former Flying Fijians and have accreditations in investment and management.
Wong is a long-time sports physiotherapist and serves with Oceania Women's Rugby as well.
This is the first AGM where local unions have been able to make their selections since the interim board was set up last year.
The Interim Board was made up of Peter Mazey, Jenny Setto, Sikeli Tuinamuana, Alipate Naiorosui, and Naivalu.
The FRU said in a statement that the Interim Board has passed on the baton to the new leadership after a transformative tenure.
"The outgoing Trustees have steered the FRU through a period of significant restructuring and financial revitalisation," the union said.
"Under their leadership, the FRU has made considerable strides in both governance and operational excellence.
"This includes a new FRU constitution, retaining a seat on the World Rugby Council, a major Operational Overhaul which sees the introduction of a new operational structure, including the appointment of a chief executive officer who reports directly to the Board, strengthening accountability and strategic decision-making, Financial Turnaround in 2023, where the FRU achieved a profit of FJ$1.6 million, marking a dramatic turnaround from a loss of FJ$1.5m in 2022."
The Board also spearheaded debt clearance where the FRU was able to clear longstanding debts, including the repayment of a World Rugby loan of FJ$2.7 million, positioning the organisation for long-term sustainability.
The Trustees expressed their pride in the progress made over the past few months, acknowledging the hard work of the FRU staff, members, and partners who contributed to this success.
"To achieve the goals set before us, we had to review, investigate and address issues of the past to enable us to move to a new and bright future," interim chairman Mazey said.
"We have been proactive by listening not just to our players, but to our Unions, our stakeholders to our politicians and to our critics."
"The hard work of all involved has laid the groundwork for a bright future for Fiji Rugby, and we are excited to see what the new board will bring to the table. The passion for rugby in Fiji is unmatched, and we are confident that the sport will continue to thrive at all levels."
The new FRU Board will elect their chairman at their first meeting next week.
