IRB Pacific Islands Development Programme Gets Underway
The IRB Pacific Islands Advisory Committee (PIAC) will hold its inaugural meeting in Fiji on 31st August 2005. The Committee was established by the IRB Executive Committee to oversee the establishment and implementation of high performance initiatives and new tournaments in the region as part of the IRB’s Strategic Plan.
The Committee will be chaired by Bob Tuckey, the Vice Chairman of the IRB. The Committee currently comprises: Keni Dakuidreketi (Fiji), Tuilagi M S Esera (Samoa), Sakopo Lolohea (Tonga) and Graham Mourie (New Zealand). The Committee will be supported by IRB Rugby Services Manager, Mark Egan and IRB High Performance consultant Daniel Collins. Harry Schuster will attend the meeting in his capacity as President of Federation of Oceanic Rugby Unions (FORU).
“The genesis of this whole initiative in the Pacific region was the establishment of the new IRB Strategic Plan approved by Council in November 2004. As part of the Plan an assessment of the high performance capabilities of all seven Tier 2 Unions was undertaken to identify what was needed to develop rugby within these Unions and to assist them to progress to Tier 1 level,” said PIAC Chairman, Bob Tuckey.
“Specific recommendations have come forward from that assessment and these are now in the process of being implemented. The additional funding required to drive rugby development in these Unions, over and above the annual investment grants and other assistance they currently receive, has been approved.”
“In August the IRB Executive Council announced that as part of the Strategic Plans’ development programme over £3 million will be invested among the three Pacific Island Unions for high performance initiatives. Additionally up to £4 million will be invested in a Pacific League cross border competition, involving two regional teams from each of the three Unions, and a Pacific Six Nations tournament potentially involving Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.”
“Fiji, Tonga and Samoa have the potential to make the step up from Tier 2 to Tier 1 and the implementation of specific high performance programmes together with the new proposed competition structures will provide the platform for this.”
“PIAC will work with the thee Unions to ensure there is a defined regional focus for the programme and this inaugural meeting is an important milestone in the future development of rugby in the Pacific Islands. It also highlights the IRB’s commitment to drive the continued competitiveness of rugby worldwide,” added Mr Tuckey.
The meeting agenda includes the establishment of a memorandum of understanding between all the stakeholders, the organisational structure for the management of the programme and human resources including the appointment of an IRB General Manager Pacific Islands and High Performance Managers in each of the Unions. Also to be reviewed are the required structures and logistics for the new tournaments and the commencement of the identified high performance initiatives.
Full details on the IRB global investment programme for rugby can be viewed at:
IRB to Pump Extra £30 Million into Rugby
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Greg Thomas, IRB Communications Manager,
Tel/SMS +353 86 819 6149 or email greg.thomas@irb.com