Suva Rugby Union is ready to kick off the new season on a high after signing a sponsorship with FMF Foods Limited today.
The three-year deal, the monetary worth of which was not disclosed, sets the benchmark for the Suva RU to build on achievements of 2022 whilst for the manufacturing company, it was an opportune time to give back to the community for their trust and support in its 50-year existence.
This season, Suva RU, considered the largest and one of the oldest provincial rugby unions in the country, stamped several firsts and in an inclusive manner at that. It pioneered not only the women’s competition but also the first youth club comps known as the Junior Escott Shield as well as the oldies’ competition. Their investment in women’s rugby paid off with their women’s team scooping the inaugural ANZ Marama Cup competition this year, with 18 of their squad members getting the call-up into the Fijiana Drua set-up. Ten of their male players were part of the Fijian Drua squad in the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific competition.
“Our greatest appreciation to FMF for stepping up to develop community grassroots rugby by sponsoring the competition from 2023 and beyond. In 2023, it will be the 110th year of convening the Escott Shield competition, one of the longest-running rugby competitions in the world. We are grateful that FMF is willing to support the Suva RU and that FMF will also be the major sponsor of the five Suva teams that will be taking part in the FRU-sanctioned Skipper, the ANZ Marama Cup competition of 2023,” SRU Chairman Lt Col Viliame Draunibaka said.
“The injection of sponsorship as such by FMF will develop the level of rugby, development, and performance of the Suva teams taking part in the provincial competition. It will enhance Suva Rugby in a massive way, and it will go a long way in developing rugby in Fiji as a whole.”
FMF Foods Ltd group marketing manager Amrita Priyadarshani said: “FMF celebrates 50 years in being a pioneer in Fiji’s food industry. We have taken great lengths and great strides to ensure that Fiji is food secure, it has good nutrition, and most importantly value for money.
FMF is part of many households because our customers trust and choose us and have done so for the past 50 years. This same trust and added security we are passing back to the community through this partnership. Suva Rugby is also a pioneer in rugby and a key reason for selecting this partnership was the sound knowledge and the leadership that this union has, much like the good we provide.”
Suva RU’s 2023 calendar of events is still being worked on.
