The Pacific Islands Players Association and the Fiji Rugby Union have today announced a ground‑breaking initiative for rugby players in the Pacific Island region that will deliver off‑field career and education support through a fully integrated Player Personal Development Programme.
The programme which was launched at the Oceania Rugby AGM in Auckland will invest $650,000 into the Fijian Rugby Personal Development Programme which will be spread over three years.
Additional funds will be allocated later in the year to run parallel programmes in Samoa and Tonga.
With more than 600 Pacific Island Players currently playing professional rugby across the globe, the programme aims to provide player education to support on‑going sustainable future for the Pacific Island Rugby Players and deliver benefits to their countries.
A large number of these players are young Fijian men who grow up in the local villages in Fiji and quickly get thrusted into a foreign environment.
Speaking from his Christchurch base, Fiji born Crusaders wing, Nemani Nadolo said it is great that there will be more support and education for the players.
Nadolo said this programme will challenge players to maximise
their potential in rugby and life which they hope will have ongoing advantages for players, Fiji Rugby and the wider Fijian community.
Pacific Islands Players Association board member and Fiji captain, Akapusi Qera said their vision with this programme is for the players to have support before, during and after their career.
The program which is supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Reserve Bank of Fiji will provide support in five key personal development areas which include Career and Education, Financial, Family and Culture, Professional Rugby Development, and Personal Development.
A full time Personal Development Manager position based in Fiji has been advertised and an appointment is expected to be made soon.
