FRU interviews four candidates for CEO role

The four shortlisted applicants for the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) chief executive officer position were interviewed on Friday.

FRU chairman John Sanday confirmed two were overseas applicants and two locals.

The CEO post which was advertised last month. A total of 12 applicants were received.

The recruitment process is being handled by HR (Human Resources) firm Maxumise Lts.

Sanday said this was to ensure independence of the process.

“Maxumise is attending to collating of scores and final procedures like checking of referees. This is anticipated to be completed today (yesterday),” Sanday said.

He said the shortlisted candidates were all very strong in their respective professional areas.

“It has been quite a difficult task for the Board to make the selection given the strengths each of the interviewee, presented.

“It will come down to the wire and how their individual scoresheets stacked up.

If it was possible to employ them all, we would have no hesitation in doing so, given their strengths.

“However, we are required to select one.

This is currently in the final stages of the selection process and we expect to make the announcement as soon as the final results of the process comes out and Board makes the final selection. High Score

“Even we as a board, are not sure which candidate will come out with the highest score from the independent process used by Maxumise.”

Sanday said once the selection is done, the appointee will need to sign a 100-day initial management plan where they to get to work with the organisational restructure through the holidays to be in a position to attack the 2026 financial year with a bang.

He urged rugby supporters to continue to pray and support as they navigate this important stage of the renewal and restructure of FRU to position it for the future and for the global commercial world.

“In this vein, we will also be announcing a new chief financial officer and an acting chief operating officer,” Sanday said.

“This C suite of executives will drive the organisational renewal and restructure to fit with the 10-year strategic plan that the board will be considering in its final board meeting for 2025, scheduled to be held at FRU Boardroom, Saturday, December 27, 2025. Legacy Issues

“We hope to hit the new year, 2026 running with the new leadership team and there have been many lessons we have learned from our first full year as a board.

“We had to take on legacy issues that continued to challenge us through the year and some became controversial. We took ownership of these and attended to each. These have been valuable learnings.”

The advertisement on the role said the CEO is responsible for the executive leadership, management, and overall operational activities of the FRU.

The role also identifies and responds to strategic opportunities and risks and challenges that arise within the organisation, including sound commercial strategies to ensure financial sustainability.

In addition, the CEO will also establish and maintain relationships with other relevant strategic partners, including local and international rugby bodies, statutory organisations, private sector stakeholders, and government ministries in Fiji.

The CEO reports to the board of directors and is the principal representative of Fiji Rugby and plays a key role in ensuring the growth, integrity, and success of the sport nationally and internationally.

Koli Sewabu is FRU’s acting CEO following Rovereto Nayacalevu’s resignation in May after his one-year year in office.