It was revealed in a talanoa session with provincial unions at Lami’s Novotel hotel on Saturday that the Fiji Rugby Union has had six constitutions in the last 26 years.

However, none of them was properly registered, according to interim board chairman Peter Mazey.

“One of the big things we found was we could not find a constitution that was legal; we’ve now found six constitutions since 1997 and none of them had been properly registered and that was what started the whole problem,” Mazey said.

Of the six constitutions, only the 1997 Constitution was registered and complied with the Charitable Trust Act.

Interim administrator Simione Valenitabua said the new constitution would be reviewed by a committee.

Fij Rugby Union Talanoa session at Novotel hotel on November 4, 2011. (From L-R) FRU Head of Women HPU Alana Thomas, Trustee Jenny Seeto, FRU National Operations Manager Sale Sorovaki, FRU Acting Board Chairman Peter Mazey, World Rugby Representative Bruce Cook, FRU General Manager HPU B-J Mather and Interim Administrator Simione Valenitabua. Photo: Sereana Salalo

“From 1997 to 2018, the constitutions have not been registered properly, legally in accordance with the Charitable Trust Act,” he said.

The Fiji Rugby Union is now tasked to draft a new constitution to set the Rugby House in order.

“We need four to five months to revisit the constitution, amend it and do a new one,” he added.

FRU has been given another six months by World Rugby to meet the WR guidelines by July 1 where they be reviewed again.

Mazey said there was great support from the rugby unions following the session as most of their questions and concerns were clarified.

Few key things discussed were:

•  legal issues – review of a new constitution;
•  challenges and findings;
•  process for an Annual General Meeting (AGM);
•  domestic competitions – increase of 10 teams for Skipper Cup 2024 and 14 for Vanua Championship;
•  World Cup challenges presented by Flying Fijians manager Bill Gadolo;
•  women’s rugby; and
•  referees concerns. Skipper Cup and Marama competition will start in February.

World Rugby regional partnership manager Bruce Cook was also present at the talanoa session with Attorney General Siromi Turaga and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.

Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj