The Fiji Rugby Union has passed its constitution as it aims to get back into the World Rugby Council.
Fiji had been suspended form the World Rugby’s highest decision-making body in May last year due to questions raised about its governance structure.
World Rugby had subsequently after released a statement, outlining steps to “restore stability” at Rugby House.
Following a special general meeting (SGM) on Saturday, Fiji Rugby chairman Peter Mazey said everything will be in order again and they will take this to World Rugby.
“The SGM was specifically called to discuss matters concerning the governance and structure of the organisation particularly the new company to be formed and called the Fiji Rugby Union Limited that will pave the way for the organisation and sport in the next 30 years and beyond,” Fiji Rugby said via a statement.
Mazey said the new company will work alongside the organisation charity which will act as its watchdog under the new structure.
“The Drua and Counter Ruck, our 49 percent ownership of that entity will come under the charity just like our properties that includes Rugby House and the High-Performance Units,” he said.
Mazey said World Rugby assisted in the process by providing a consultant, and there was some assistance as well from New Zealand Rugby which is going through a similar review.
Under the new structure, the unions will vote in their nomination for board members and there will be no longer be a government or a Prime Minister’s nominee, and no World Rugby nominees that will sit on the board.
“The new structure focuses on giving power to the Unions to move the sport a more commercial focused entity.”
The High-Performance Unit will now also come under the chief executive under the new structure that was passed by the union representatives.
A new board of directors and chairman is to be elected at the Fiji Rugby annual general meeting that will be called within the next 45 days.
Source: RNZ