In a special meeting today, the Chair of the Higher Education Commission Fiji ( HECF), Mr Steve Chand and senior members of its team met with Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) Chairman Mr. John Sanday to talk about a new programme—Life After Rugby.
The main focus of the discussion was the upcoming initiative, which is the first of its kind in Fiji. Life After Rugby aims to provide structured guidance, educational opportunities, and career development support for athletes transitioning from professional sports into life beyond the rugby field.
“This programme is about building a bridge between sporting success and long-term personal and professional fulfillment,” described Mr Chand.
“We are excited to see it come to life, and we look forward to working closely with the Fiji Rugby Union to ensure its success.”
The initiative, led by HECF in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the FRU, will offer tailored resources including access to vocational training, higher education pathways, and career planning services—each designed with athletes’ unique experiences and aspirations in mind.
FRU Chairman Mr. John Sanday welcomed the initiative, calling it a long-overdue step in athlete welfare.
“We are grateful to HECF for championing this concept. Until now, our focus has largely been on developing players during their careers, with limited attention to life after the final whistle,” he said.
