Fiji RL to market players abroad

[DIEHARD]

FNRL to market players abroad

A MOVE by Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) would see more local players playing in the overseas clubs this year.

The national rugby league body has put up advertisements on the Rugby League Coaching magazine to attract clubs who are interested in Fijian players.

"For overseas clubs the Fiji National Rugby League becomes your One Stop Shop as we will provide profiles, guidance in your visa application, advice on immigration procedures, assistance in organizing players medical, X-Ray, police clearance, visa lodgement, support letters and clearance."

FNRL will charge an administration fee of AUD$200 ($372) for these services provided.

FNRL general manager Steve Mclellan said 45 clubs have shown their interest in recruiting local players so far.

These clubs are from England, Australia and New Zealand. Mclellan said some National Rugby League (NRL) clubs have also shown interests.

"But these NRL clubs are more interested in getting the schoolboys for their development teams rather than the matured players."

Mclellan said one of the clubs has completed their paperwork and the player they want would be leaving by next month.

"Australian club Dubbo Macquarie showed their interested in Etuate Gusuivalu last year and we have completed the paperwork. They want him this year and he might be leaving soon to join their training which starts in February," he said.

"Dubbo Macquarie already has Viliame Tagibula and Kiniviliame Qereqeretabua and they are impressed with their performance."

Mclellan added the arrangement of players to play in overseas clubs was a pathway to the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

He said they wanted local players to be exposed to the top level competition.

"By February or March we expect things to get underway and get more players lined-up to join these overseas clubs."

http://www.fijitimes.com/

[Titanic]

These types of arrangements are great for unknown players to be recognised and I fully support officially sanctioned initiatives like this, however, I would like the international body to ensure that for any player who emerges into the NRL or ESL that there is a compensation fee payable by the contracting club back to the original club in the home country.

I don't like the idea of transfer fees at the beginning as it becomes a market for agent provocateurs ... I can cite any number of examples in PNG, including one ill-fated local mob who tried to buy the entire Moresby rep side for a Packer-like tour of Darwin in 1989.

[DIEHARD]

I agree Titanic, you are right on the transfer fees to original club and protecting against player agent vultures promising the world.

But this type of thing is the way forward for the NRL and International footy. Especially if we wanna increase our player depth.

We can be #1 in the pacific if we tried!