‘Protect the players’: Fiji Rugby pursues development fees from overseas clubs

The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) is actively seeking development compensation from overseas clubs when local talent transfers internationally, in accordance with World Rugby regulations.

FRU chief executive Koli Sewabu told RNZ Pacific that the union is now trying to get what is due to the national union and local associations who helped in the development of local players picked up by overseas clubs.

French rugby magazine Midi Olympique reported this week that the FRU is demanding compensation payment from a number of clubs in the French Top 14 and Pro-D2 competition.

Sewabu, himself a former Flying Fijian international, said the FRU was just following the rules in trying to ensure that Fijian organisations that identified, trained, supported and developed players get some compensation in return.

He said the FRU has a ‘Player Release Commission’, which is now liaising with World Rugby on the issue. He added that the same rule applied for other clubs around the world who sign up Fijian players.

The FRU is currently trying to secure compensation payments for 15 players, whose international release letters have already been given to their new French clubs as per World Rugby rules.

“They are Training and Development Compensation payments that are payable by receiving organisations when a player transfers internationally, as in accordance with the principles set out in World Rugby Regulation 4,” Sewabu said.

“He said the the FRU adopted new general regulations for governance, among other matters, effective from 1 July 2026.

They include international player movements, the issuance of international clearances, the calculation of training and development compensation, the verification of the conditions under which players recruited overseas will be received, the protection and recognition of the organisations that contributed to their development, the review of their contractual, material and financial conditions, their protection, safety and welfare; and the regulation of agents and sporting intermediaries involved in their recruitment or transfer.

“These regulations therefore do not pursue a purely financial objective but more on sustainable development, good governance, player protection and transparency.”

Sewabu said the FRU had taken the stance now because of incidents in the past, where players were not given what they were told or signed up to.

The Fiji Rugby Players Association, set up last year, has been vocal about implementing systems whereby player welfare is the paramount focus, which demands the reviewing of contracts so players can understand what they are getting into before leaving the country.

Sewabu said the review conducted before an international clearance is issued primarily enables the FRU to ensure that a young Fijian player does not leave his Home Union without an adequate level of protection.

“The FRU must be able to verify the conditions under which the player will be received, accommodated, remunerated, insured and supported in his new country,” he said.

“It must also ensure that appropriate medical coverage is in place, that any applicable minimum remuneration requirements are respected, and that the player’s contract and general living conditions are satisfactory.”

The objective is to prevent any repetition of the deeply concerning situations experienced by some Fijian players in the past, who left Fiji without adequate protection and were sometimes placed in extremely poor contractual, material or personal circumstances, he added.

Sewabu said the reform is intended to strengthen the whole of Fijian rugby on a sustainable basis, including players, the FRU, the provincial unions, the development clubs, the schools, the development structures and its high-performance programmes.

“The FRU acknowledges that, in the past, the mechanisms provided for under World Rugby Regulations in relation to player development and international transfers was not always applied consistently.

“As a result, players did not always receive the necessary level of protection, while the Fijian organisations that identified, trained, supported and developed those players did not always receive the compensation to which they may have been entitled when the players moved overseas.”

He said the compensation would flow back to the FRU to continue the support and management of the Fiji Rugby Management System as well as the national development and high-performance programmes.

It would also benefit the Fiji Rugby Players Association and the clubs or provincial unions that contributed to the player’s development, who would be allocated pro rata according to the seasons during which the player was registered with each organisation.

Sewabu also confirmed that the FRU was engaging with World Rugby’s legal team regarding the interpretation and application of the relevant regulatory provisions.

The union is also in communication with relevant authorities to ensure that these matters are considered institutionally, consistently and in accordance with international regulations.

“The FRU’s objective is to secure a clear and orderly application of the regulations, protect the players and prevent them from being placed at the centre of disputes between institutions,” he said.

“The objective is not to create an unnecessary conflict with overseas clubs or unions.”

He added the move is inclusive of all clubs around the world that contract Fijian players out of Fiji from now and it was not solely targeting France.

He said France has been a big market for Fijian players and Fiji appreciates the opportunity for players to play under contracts there.

“The FRU fully recognises the contribution made by French rugby and other overseas competitions to the careers of many Fijian players,” he said.

“It has impacted positively when done right, and the multiplier effect to players, their families, their communities and even to our nation has been very positive. FRU wishes to maintain constructive relationships with receiving clubs, the relevant Unions, the French National Rugby League and World Rugby.

“This initiative should not be viewed as a confrontation with French rugby or with any country but to protect and allow Fiji Rugby in keeping up with the global demand for Fijian rugby players.”