IRB ups Fiji’s grant money

Fiji’s outstanding performance at the Rugby World Cup and the expansion of its development program has led to an increase in the development grant from the International Rugby Board of 43,000 (F$135,000) for 2008, taking the overall Trust Grant to 193,000 (F$600,000) according to the Fijitimes.

According to Will Glenwright, the IRB’s general manager for Oceania, the 29 percent increase “is a reflection of the good work being done in the development area in your Union, which has no doubt contributed to Fiji’s recent improved performances at age grade, 7s and national team levels.”

“We’ve had to make some hard decisions this year, but we’ve stuck to our principles of doing what’s in the best interest of Fiji Rugby.”

Will Glenwright explained that the IRB Trust Grants are based on a review of each Union’s performance against their Key Performance Indicators.

“Quite a few of the Unions received increased funding, some stayed the same and others were reduced. As one of the better performing Unions in the region and globally, the FRU was one of the big winners,” Glenwright said.

Fiji reached the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup for the first time in 20 years.