FRFU AND FRPA ISSUE MANDATORY PLAYER WELFARE ADVISORY AHEAD OF DEANS COMPETITION FINALS

The Fiji Rakavi Football Union (FRFU) and the Fiji Rugby Players Association (FRPA) have today issued a firm advisory to all players, parents and guardians, teachers, school administrators, rugby agents, clubs, companies and other individuals regarding the mandatory protocols governing approaches to players, contract negotiations, scholarship offers, player representation, marketing and overseas transfers.

This directive is issued as a matter of urgency and duty of care, particularly as the Vodafone Super Deans competition reaches its critical final stages and interest in Fiji’s young rugby talent intensifies.

The FRFU and FRPA remain fully supportive of Fijian players pursuing legitimate overseas rugby, education and professional opportunities. However, these opportunities must be managed through the established regulatory framework to protect the safety, welfare, education, contractual rights and financial interests of our players. This is not about preventing opportunities. It is about ensuring that every opportunity presented to a Fijian rugby player is legitimate, fair, transparent and protects the player’s welfare.

STRICT PROTOCOL FOR PLAYERS AGED 19 AND BELOW
The FRFU and FRPA wish to make it clear that agents are not permitted to directly approach or engage rugby players aged 19 years and below, or their parents or guardians, for the purpose of recruitment, representation, contracts or overseas placement. Any agent, representative, club, company or individual seeking to engage with a school player must first approach the Head of School.

The Head of School must then advise the FRFU of the approach, and the matter will be referred through the appropriate process involving the FRPA before any engagement with the player or the player’s family proceeds.

This requirement has been established to ensure that young players and their families receive appropriate independent advice before making decisions that may significantly affect the player’s rugby career, education, finances and future.
The FRFU and FRPA are particularly concerned about cases where parents or guardians may provide consent without receiving proper contractual or professional advice, potentially exposing young players to unfair contractual conditions or exploitation by agents, intermediaries or clubs. Schools therefore have an important safeguarding role and are strongly encouraged to immediately report approaches involving their players.

MANDATORY AGENT CREDENTIALING AND DUE DILIGENCE
Any agent seeking to recruit, represent or facilitate opportunities for Fijian rugby players must first present their credentials and relevant documentation to the FRFU. The FRFU will refer the agent’s credentials to the FRPA for appropriate due diligence before approval is given for engagement with players, particularly school and age-grade players.

The purpose of this process is to establish the legitimacy and standing of the agent or representative and to protect players and their families from unqualified, unauthorized or unscrupulous operators. Where an opportunity progresses, the FRPA will provide appropriate player welfare and contractual advice to help the player understand the proposed agreement and determine whether the terms adequately protect his or her interests.

NO UNAUTHORISED MARKETING OF FIJIAN RUGBY PLAYERS
The FRFU further advises that no company, agency, intermediary or individual operating in Fiji is authorized to market, promote or represent Fijian rugby players for placement with overseas clubs, academies or other organizations without the appropriate authorization of the Fiji Rakavi Football Union.

Any person or organization undertaking such activities without authorization may be acting outside the recognized regulatory framework governing Fijian rugby.

Players, parents, schools and clubs are therefore strongly advised to verify the credentials and authorization of any person claiming to represent players or facilitate overseas rugby opportunities.

CONTRACTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE SIGNING
All players, including school players, age-grade players and established players, must submit proposed overseas contracts, scholarship agreements or transfer arrangements for review before signing and finalizing the agreement.

The purpose of the review is not to stop a player from signing a legitimate contract or pursuing an overseas opportunity.

Rather, it is designed to ensure that the player fully understands the obligations being undertaken and that appropriate welfare protections are clearly incorporated and enforceable within the contract.

The review should consider, where applicable, matters including:
•               remuneration and payment arrangements;
•               accommodation and living arrangements;
•               medical treatment and health insurance;
•               injury protection and continued payments during injury;
•               transportation;
•               education and development support;
•               visa and immigration responsibilities;
•               termination provisions;
•               insurance;
•               repatriation arrangements;
•               dispute resolution;
•               agent fees and commissions; and
•               other contractual provisions affecting the player’s welfare and financial security.
 
The FRPA’s role is to provide independent advice and identify potential risks or deficiencies so that the player can make an informed decision.

PLAYER RELEASE MUST BE APPLIED FOR WHILE IN FIJI
Players seeking an overseas transfer or engagement are reminded that the required player release must be applied for and processed while the player is still in Fiji.

Players should not travel overseas first and subsequently attempt to obtain their release.

Player release applications submitted after the player has already travelled overseas will not be approved.

Players, parents, agents and receiving clubs must therefore ensure that contracts are submitted, welfare requirements are addressed and the necessary release procedures are completed before the player’s departure from Fiji.

Players are strongly encouraged to begin this process early and submit their documentation at least two to three weeks before visa processing and intended departure, where practicable.

MANDATORY VETTING AND APPROVAL PROCESS
The required process is as follows:
1. Initial Approach
For players aged 19 years and below who are attending school, agents or representatives must approach the Head of School and must not directly engage the player or the player’s parents or guardians.

2. Notification to FRFU
The Head of School must notify the FRFU of the agent’s intention and proposed opportunity.

3. Agent Credential Verification
The agent must provide credentials and relevant documentation to the FRFU, which will refer the matter to the FRPA for due diligence and appropriate advice.

4. Contract Submission
Any proposed contract, scholarship or transfer agreement must be submitted for review before the player signs or finalizes the agreement.

5. Player Welfare Review
The FRPA will review the proposed arrangement from a player welfare perspective and provide appropriate advice to the player.

6. Player Release
Where a player release is required, the application must be made and processed while the player remains in Fiji.

7. Final Approval
Final approval will be provided subject to the proposed arrangement and contract complying with applicable World Rugby requirements, FRFU regulations and policies, and recognized player welfare standards and policies.

CRUCIAL REMINDER TO PLAYERS, PARENTS AND SCHOOLS
The FRFU and FRPA therefore remind all stakeholders:
Do not sign before review. Players should not sign contracts, scholarships, letters of intent or similar agreements before receiving appropriate advice and completing the required process.

Do not bypass the school. Agents seeking players aged 19 and below at school must approach the Head of School rather than directly approaching players or their parents.

Verify the agent. Agents must present their credentials to the FRFU and undergo the appropriate due diligence process before being approved to engage with students.

Do not allow unauthorized marketing. Companies and individuals must not market or represent Fijian rugby players without the required FRFU authorization.

Apply for release before departure. Players must complete their release application while they are still in Fiji. Applications made after travelling overseas will not be approved.

Seek advice early. Players and parents should not wait until immediately before departure to seek assistance. Early engagement allows sufficient time for proper contractual and welfare review.

THE ROLE OF THE FRFU AND FRPA
The FRFU and FRPA have complementary responsibilities in protecting Fijian rugby players.

The FRPA’s role in the process is advisory and protective, ensuring players have access to appropriate advice and understand the implications of agreements presented to them. The review process is not intended to prevent a player from pursuing an opportunity or to displace an agent legitimately chosen by a player.

The FRFU retains the appropriate regulatory authority in relation to player registration, releases and compliance with applicable rugby regulations and policies.

Together, the organizations seek to create an environment where Fijian players can pursue international opportunities with confidence, knowing their welfare and contractual rights have been properly considered.

PROTECTION OF YOUNG PLAYERS
With increasing attention on school rugby and the Vodafone Super Deans competition, the FRFU considers the protection of young players a matter of particular importance.

Young athletes can quickly attract interest from agents, clubs, academies and intermediaries, but a promising opportunity must not come at the expense of a player’s education, welfare or long-term development.

Parents and guardians are therefore urged not to provide consent or sign documents simply based on promises of overseas opportunities without first obtaining appropriate advice and completing the required FRFU and FRPA process.

School Heads, teachers and rugby administrators are equally encouraged to remain vigilant and report approaches involving their players.

STATEMENT FROM FRFU CEO KOLI SEWABU
“We have seen cases where players are injured and clubs stop payments because they are no longer playing. Too many players can find themselves suffering abroad because of loopholes or weaknesses in contracts that were not properly reviewed before they were signed.

“This process is about putting a stop to that. We are not blocking opportunities; we are protecting and securing those opportunities.

“We also want to send a very clear message regarding our young players. Agents should not be approaching school players aged 19 and below or going directly to their parents. The proper process must be followed through the Head of School, FRFU and FRPA.

“Any player or parent who receives an overseas offer should seek advice before signing. Our duty of care is paramount, particularly for our young players who are attracting significant attention during competitions such as the Vodafone Super Deans.”

STATEMENT FROM FRPA DIRECTOR WAME LEWARAVU
“We urge players and parents to bring overseas offers forward for review before anything is signed or finalized. Our purpose is not to stand between a player and an opportunity. Our responsibility is to help ensure that the player understands exactly what he or she is agreeing to and that their welfare is properly protected.

“Parents naturally want the best for their children, but overseas contracts can contain complex provisions relating to injury, payments, accommodation, insurance, termination and other important matters. Proper advice before signing can make an enormous difference.

“The objective is simple: every Fijian player should have the opportunity to pursue their career with dignity, fairness and proper protection against exploitation.”

The FRFU and FRPA remain committed to strengthening the sustainable development of Fijian rugby while ensuring that player welfare remains at the center of all domestic and international opportunities. As interest in Fiji’s rugby talent continues to grow, particularly at school and age-grade level, all stakeholders have a responsibility to ensure that players are properly protected.

The message to players, parents, schools, agents, clubs and companies is clear:
Follow the proper process. Verify the agent. Seek advice before signing. Protect the player’s welfare. Obtain the required release before leaving Fiji.

Opportunity must never come at the expense of player welfare.