Plans are well underway for contracting local sevens players in Fiji.
The Fiji Rugby Union has up to 15 players who will be paid an annual salary of $15,000 to $20,0000 while there will also be bonus payments for a top‑five finish at tournaments and winning key matches or meeting certain fitness standards.
Vodafone Fiji Sevens coach Ben Ryan said that the move is a big step forward for Fiji Rugby.
Ryan said since he stepped in as head coach one of the things he immediately saw was the inability to hold onto the players or to have any control at all over them.
Ryan added that the opportunity is for the boys to attract a salary that, in Fijian terms, is pretty good.
The Fiji Rugby Union is expected to name the players to be contracted soon.
