FIJI RUGBY UNION
HIGH PERFORMANCE UNIT
History of the HPU
International Rugby Board Worldwide Strategy
High Performance Infrastructure;
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Key Milestones
Key Success Factors Going Forward
International Rugby Board Worldwide Strategy
- Rugby is one of the world’s most popular sports and is played in more than 100 countries. The sport is controlled by the international Rugby Board (IRB). With 111 member unions, it is responsible for the development and control of rugby worldwide, as well as the staging and management of Rugby World Cup and the IRB’s World 7’s tournament and age group world championships.
- The IRB strategic plan approved on November 2004 identified the need to improve the competitiveness of both Tier One (top ten competitive Unions) and Tier Two Unions (the next seven Unions three of whom are in Oceania/Pacific).
- As part of the IRB Tier Two initiative & investment, the IRB appointed High Performance Managers (FIJI – Peter Murphy) to implement and monitor high performance strategies.
- The IRB approved its biggest ever investment in high performance rugby, £30 million (FJD$96,153,846) in a three year program of strategic development investment designed to improve the competitiveness of rugby worldwide.
- Pacific Island Rugby (Fiji, Tonga & Samoa) will receive over £3 million (FJD$9,615,384) in funding for high performance initiatives.
- Fiji received £800,000 (FJD$2,564,102) for three years to cover High Performance infrastructure, high performance management/daily training environment & union infrastructure.
- Within Fiji the key elements looked at in terms of high performance include athletes, athlete pathway, coaches, coaching structures, existing domestic competition structures, equipment & facilities (this includes Gymnasiums & Rugby Pitch upgrades), sports science and sports medicine.
- The IRB Tier 2 Unions in terms of high performance initiatives also includes the establishment of two new tournaments with an overall budget of over £10 million (FJD$32,051,282)
- IRB Pacific Rugby Cup – a 6 weeks competition between representative regional teams, two each from Fiji, Tonga & Samoa. Each team made up of domestic based players.
- IRB Pacific 5 Nations – a 5 week competition involving Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Japan and the Junior All Blacks. In 2007 this tournament was expanded to 6 Nations and will include Australia “A”. In 2008 the NZ Maori will replace the Junior All Black.
- To improve the standard of play in Fiji so that the National Team qualifies for the quarterfinals at the 2007 RWC and the semi-finals at the 2011 RWC. To support all National teams preparation and competition programs.
- My role is to provide the direction and management of the international and domestic elite players training and competition environment thereby improving the international success and status of rugby for all Fijian National Team (s).
High Performance Infrastructure;
- Licensed Training centres with Gymnasiums x 6, Gym Equipment, On & Off field equipment – scrum machines, balls, hit shields etc and High Performance offices.
- HP staff – coaches, managers, fitness trainers, sports science & specialised coaches.
- Scholarship players (Senior & Academy) accommodation, meals, transportation, training allowances & health insurance.
- HP coaching development, HP managers development, HP Fitness trainers development.
- HP Sports Science development and HP Referee development.
Key Milestones
- Setting up of the High Performance Unit and staff
- License training centers – Lawaqa Park, Nadi, Suva & Nasori with 2 more sites identified – Lautoka & Tavua.
- Integrated Development plan with HP plan
- National Fitness Standards
- National Selection criteria and selectors
- HPU scholarship players – Academy & Development squad
- HPU Referee academy
- Competitive National Age Group Teams – 2006 U18, U19 & U21 - 2007 U19
- IRB L3 coaches
- HPU Player welfare programs – covering modules such as Principles of training, sports physiology, nutrition, alcohol & drug education, anti-doping, time management & goal setting plus injury prevention.
- Quarter finalist RWC 2007
- HP Sports science unit – Doctor, Physio, Physiology, Nutrition and masseur.
- HPU partnership programs – USP School of Engineering and Physics – Scrum machines etc, Queensland Reds & NSW Waraths Super 14 teams & NZPTC.
- IRB Regulation 4 – Development Fees
- IRB Regulation 9 – release of our overseas based players and better relationships with clubs
- Junior World Championships 2008
Key Success Factors Going Forward
- Player development & player welfare programs
- License training centers
- Coach education program
- Trainers education programs
- Junior World Cup Team
- Competition program
- Sports science
- Increased partnership programs – ARU, NZRU and others
- Funding beyond 2008
The Flying Fijians-2007 Quarter Finalist
2011??
