ONE of the issues discussed at the Fiji Rugby Union’s SGM last weekend was that of player registration.
This shouldn’t be a complex issue, but in Fiji invariably it is.
Ba’s friendly neighbours Vatukoula have now been promoted to the Skipper Cup after winning their appeal over Namosi fielding a player who was registered with Suva in the promotion play-offs.
In 2023, Ba had their appeal against Vatukoula denied when it became apparent that a player who had been representing Vatutavui Village in the Ba club competition had also been playing for a club in Vatukoula.
The FRU is now working on a more detailed database of players so that, eventually, all club players in Fiji are properly registered, which would drastically reduce the amount of valuable time wasted sorting out protests.
Ba knows this scenario well following almost weekly protests and counter-protests during the 2024 club season.
“We spent a lot of time investigating the club v club protests,” BRU Secretary Gaby Kautoga said.
“And when the Tikina Championships started, the protests were then about players coming in from other unions and the ages of those in the U19 competition.
“When we have such a small team, our resources would be far better spent working on development, so we need the clubs to improve their administration too.”
To solve this, BRU came up with the plan to register every single player, referee, medic and coach involved in Ba Rugby and give them each a photo ID Card.
“It’s also a lot of work,” Talatala Gaby admitted, ‘but we feel it’s time well spent to get this up and running. They only have to register once’.”
Kautoga noted that there were additional benefits to such a scheme — like insurance and player privileges.
“We plan to visit every club so it’ll be time-consuming to set up. We have to get it right and do it the best way possible.”
One of the notions from FRU was that all 7s teams in Fiji should also be registered clubs with provincial unions and only field players who are registered with that club.
“That would be a much harder nut to crack,” Kautoga said.
“Our boys tend to form their own 7s teams or join others.
“Some clubs might have two or three top 7s players but not enough to form a strong team, so they’d miss out — and Fiji would miss out.
“Look at the Fiji Bitter Wairiki 7s last weekend in Taveuni. Four boys from Ba featured in the winning Devo Babas side which beat Police Blue in the final.
“And for the last leg of the FSC U20 7s in Suva on 30 November, Nailaga villager Josateki Vale not only helped Veiyasana Providers win the cup but he was named Player of the Tournament.
“Those are great experiences for the boys which can lead to other opportunities.”
Kautoga said that Ba’s view on this is to leave the 7s boys to do their own thing.
“Traditionally, 7s rugby has been organised with free movement of players. That seems to work well in Fiji, so maybe it’s best not to change it.”
Garden Isle kings … BRU secretary Gaby Kautoga (centre) is flanked by 7s players (left to right) Bill Scott (Natalecake), Meli Nalulu and Samisoni Sadole (both Sorokoba) after featuring for the victorious Devo Babas after defeating Police Blue in the final of the Fiji Bitter Wairiki 7s in Taveuni. Kautoga was in Taveuni at the time on a church outreach program. E i rewa vina du. Picture: BA RUGBY
