Our Fiji Wom­en’s Rugby will be re­ceiving 65 per cent of the funding that is allocated to the Fiji Rugby Union by the Fiji Na­tional Sports Commission.

This was confirmed by FNSC ex­ecutive chairman, Peter Mazey.

Mazey said funding has been in­creasing for the past years, but in this new financial year, it was a boost for Women’s Rugby.

“From the funding we provided for Olympic preparations, 45 per cent was allocated to the women’s 7s team and 55 per cent to the men’s sevens team,” he said.

He added that the main reason for a higher allocation for the men’s team was because a number of players were brought home from Europe hence the higher costing.

“The women’s team are currently all based in Fiji. This of course will change as women receive overseas contracts,” Mazey said.

“For participation at the Olym­pics both the men and women’s sev­ens received equal funds.”

When questioned if they would increase funding for women’s rugby after the bronze win at the Olympic Games, Mazey responded: “The answer to your question is yes.”

He added that the approval in the budget increase was due to the team having qualified for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

“Funding very much now depends on the events Fiji has to play at, be it the women’s or men’s events and as the women’s events increase so will their funding.

“A large team of people has worked for some years now to see women recognised more in sports, not just rugby. It is great to see that success reflected in what the wom­en’s rugby sevens team achieved in Tokyo, and more so in them mov­ing from their 8th place at Rio to now 3rd in the world.

“The last (financial) year was the first year we saw a Local Coach who had achieved international certification and been appointed and received funding under the Coaching Grant.

“We now have three, being coach­es for the women’s rugby 15’s, wom­en’s rugby 7’s and Fiji National Rugby League. This shows the suc­cess of the International Certified Coaching Grant in training locals, which was commenced in 2013,” Mazey added.

“At the same time more of the funding available is for our locally certified international coaches and as such I am sure the women’s sev­ens Olympic coach will certainly be recognised.

“I must point out that neither the Commission or Government have any say in the agreed salaries or contracts of any sports coach, that is the responsibility of the Individ­ual National Sports Organisation.”

Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj