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 TEIVOVO.COM - FRU NEWS
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1 January 2007
FRU clarifies position with Serevi
The Fiji Rugby Union confirmed Monday that Digicel Fiji 7s coach Waisale Serevi has been a full-time employee of the FRU since August 2005 when he agreed terms and conditions to work as a resource coach.
FRU chief executive officer Timoci Tavanavanua explained that Serevi does not have a rugby-playing contract like the other members of the Digicel Fiji 7s team as his position within Fiji Rugby is very different.
“We have paid Waisale Serevi a full-time salary since August 2005,” Tavanavanua said. “He also receives other benefits in his package and has been rewarded additionally with performance bonuses like all the other players.”
“We wrote to Serevi two months ago and gave him some options on a deal with the Fiji Rugby Union for 2007 and beyond. We are currently waiting for his response.”
Tavanavanua said Serevi has done a very impressive job as coach of the Digicel Fiji 7s team in the last 12 months, and the FRU would like to retain his services.
“But at the end of the day, the choice is Serevi’s,” he said. “Though he is getting a solid package from the FRU, we appreciate that the deal in South Africa is worth much more.”
Mr Tavanavanua added that the initial approach from South African union Valke came through the Fiji Rugby Union.
“We were contacted last October about a possible position for Serevi in South Africa. We discussed this with him and he expressed a keen interest so we put the union in direct contact with him and arranged for them to meet in Dubai and George.”
“In principle, we would not stop a contracted player from going overseas to greener pastures,” the chief executive stated.
Mr Tavanavanua also clarified the position with major sponsors, Digicel.
“The Fiji Rugby Union’s contract with Digicel runs through to the end of 2009. The contract covers a wide-range of matters and is not restricted solely to the Digicel Fiji 7s team.”
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