Latest news with #sportsdevelopment
ABC News
6 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Fiji Rugby seeking future financial security by teaming up with China in a development partnership
The decision by Fiji Rugby to sign a memorandum of understanding with China Rugby was based on what the union says was the need to take quick but considered steps to secure the long term viability of the sport in the islands. Jenny Seeto from the union's Board of Trustees was in Beijing to seal the landmark deal. And she says it will reap benefits for Fiji Rugby, in the face of the NRL making fast strides in Fiji and across the Pacific with significant outside financial support. Viewed as one of her country's most successful businesswomen, Ms Seeto says the MoU is based on mutual support for rugby in Fiji and China. And while there may have been an element of diplomacy involved in discussions, she says the potential impact on the union's finances was the key selling point.
RNZ News
7 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
'Commitment to building bridges through rugby' - FRU and China sign MOU
Photo: PhotoSport Fiji and China have signed a rugby deal. Fiji Rakavi Football Union (FRU) trustee representative Jenny Seeto signed the memorandum of understanding with Wang Yun, President of the China Rugby Football Association (CRFA). A statement out of the FRU's Rugby House headquarters in Suva said the MOU focuses on elevating the sport in both nations. "This MOU is more than a document; it is a commitment to building bridges through rugby," Seeto said. "For Fiji, China offers vast potential for competition, career development, and youth training. "For China, Fiji's rugby talent and coaching expertise will accelerate the sport's growth and global reach." Discussions explored mutual interests, including building competitive team frameworks, talent development pathways, and deepening sports diplomacy between Fiji and China. FRU board chairman and a former Flying Fijian, John Sanday, said the agreement is an exciting step for both unions. "We look forward to joint initiatives such as rugby academies, youth exchanges, and high-performance programs that will benefit athletes and communities in both countries," Sanday said. Wang Yun said China is interested in two areas, talent development and grassroots growth. He said they want to utilise Fiji's elite coaching systems to establish a three-tier national team structure in China aimed at building stronger, more competitive teams for international competition. With Fiji's support, the Chinese union plans to develop a mature competitive framework by launching branded events and expanding rugby's reach among Chinese youth and communities. "This MOU is not limited to five years - it is a gateway to a lasting partnership," he said. "Together, we will promote cultural exchange, host joint international events, and create deeper bonds through the language of sport." Fijian coaches have been actively involved with China in the past. Former sevens captain and current Fiji men's head coach, Osea Kolinisau, had two seasons as coach of the China national women's team, alongside another former Fijian rplayer, Setefaco Cakau. Former player Ben Soso is the current coach for Huagan Rugby Club. Soso said they will leverage Huagan Rugby Club's role as a bridge and link to create new opportunities and generate new value for the growth of rugby in both countries. Several Fijian stars had also played rugby in China, including Mariana Talatoka of the Fijiana 7s team, who joined Huagan Rugby in May 2022; and current Fiji men's player Joji Nasova, who played for Huagan Rugby from 2022 to 2023.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Football club attended by Barcelona legend says pitch costs have 'easily doubled'
An amateur football club says pitch increases are forcing them to scale back on helping youngsters. David O'Neil, who runs Fernhill Soccer School, has said that the cost of using Fernhill Community Centre – owned by South Lanarkshire Council – has completely shot up in recent years. (Image: Davy O'Neil, founder of Fernhill Soccer School pictured at the pitches at Fernhill Community Centre,) The 64-year-old, who is also the chairman of the club, added: 'The facility and staff at the community centre are incredible, but the cost of kids' football has gone up and up. It has easily doubled over the last few years. 'We're now in a position where we have to use all our money just to rent the pitch." It means the club is no longer able to split their money between rent and providing players with things they need for free. The club make sure that every player gets a free strip when they join and provides shin guards, Astroturf boots, waterproofs and gloves so that no kid or parent is out of pocket. They also provide the kids with a roll, fruit and a biscuit, host free Halloween and Christmas parties every year and purchase medals and trophies which are handed out to the hardest workers each month. David said: 'The basic thing for us when setting up the club was to give children a place to play football for free. 'I just want to keep doing what we do to help the kids. We don't want to cut back on helping them, we want to keep boosting morale. 'If a boy turns up and we can tell he has no money, we get him a new pair of boots and say he's won a prize, that's how we go about it.' (Image: Picture credit: Colin Mearns, Newsquest.) The club was set up around 14 years ago after a high volume of gang activity in Fernhill. David explained: 'In the 70s and 80s when I was younger, Fernhill was a bad place. 'There was a lot of rivalry between Castlemilk and Fernhill. Years ago, people from Fernhill wouldn't be able to walk into Castlemilk. There would be a lot of trouble if people mixed with one another.' (Image: Picture credit: Colin Mearns, Newsquest.) Having gotten involved in gang culture himself when he was younger, David decided to set up the club to get boys and girls mixing from different areas, with the hopes of reducing crime and anti-social behaviour, as well as getting kids off the street. He continued: 'I wanted to mix kids at a young age and in my opinion, it has worked. 'We've kept kids from different areas mixed and the rivalry that once was so strong feels a lot better nowadays.' The club has proudly integrated youngsters from areas including Castlemilk, Cathkin, Rutherglen, Blantyre and Calton, and has produced popular ballers like Callan McKenna (AFC Bournemouth) and Steve Archibald (Barcelona, Tottenham). (Image: Callan McKenna. Image: SNS.) (Image: Image of Steve Archibald)The club have survived over the last decade by relying on funding and the kindness of people and businesses in the local community. 'We rely on funding and anyone that can help us out,' David said. He added: 'Locals give us money sometimes which is really helpful.' (Image: Picture credit: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) Companies like Warburtons have provided the club with free rolls in the past and trusts have previously donated thousands of pounds. 'Without that, we would have struggled a lot last year, I think,' Davey said. The club have set up a Crowdfunder to help with running costs. If you wish to donate, click HERE (Image: Picture credit: Colin Mearns, Newsquest.) A spokesperson for South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture said: 'Due to funding pressures, it was previously agreed that concessions applied to Under 16s Clubs for our pitch bookings should drop from 75% to a 50% discount of the adult rate, phased over a three-year period, moving prices to around the average around Scotland. "That means the concession now enjoyed by Under 16s clubs from April 2025 is a 50% discount from the adult rate.' Fernhill Soccer School is for kids aged between three and 16. For more information, visit
CBS News
28-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Twins stop Rays' 6-game win streak, beating them 4-2
Is investing in your child's sports financially worth it? Is investing in your child's sports financially worth it? Is investing in your child's sports financially worth it? Kody Clemens hit his fifth home run of the season, with father Roger Clemens watching from the stands, and the Minnesota Twins beat Tampa Bay 4-2 Tuesday night to stop the Rays' season-high, six-game winning streak. A 29-year-old son of the seven-time Cy Young Award winner, Kody Clemens extended his hitting streak to a career-high eight games when he homered off leading off the second against Taj Bradley (4-4). Joe Ryan (5-2) won his fourth straight decision, allowing one run and five hits in six innings. Jhoan Duran worked around a walk in the ninth for his ninth save in 10 chances, throwing six of 21 pitches 100 mph or higher. Carlos Correa had three hits for the Twins, who went ahead on Brooks Lee's first-inning sacrifice fly. Lee hit into a run-scoring forceout in the sixth and Kameron Misner had a run-scoring groundout in the seventh. Bradley (4-4) allowed three runs — two earned — and five hits in seven innings, matching his season high. A crowd of 10,046 was the Rays' 33rd sellout in 36 games at Steinbrenner Field, the Rays' temporary home this season. Tampa Bay, which dropped back to .500 at 27-27, is 17-19 at home going into Wednesday's finale of a nine-game homestand IRays second baseman Brandon Lowe fielded Lee's sixth-inning chopper with runners on first and second and sailed his throw to second over leaping shortstop Jose Caballero for an error that allowed Ryan Jeffers to score. Ryan's walk to Misner in the second inning was his 10th in 11 starts the year. Twins pitchers have walked the fewest batters in the major leagues this season. Rays RHP Drew Rasmussen (3–4, 2.60 ERA) starts Wednesday against Twins RHP Pablo López (4–2, 2.31 ERA), who has held opponents to two earned runs or fewer in eight of nine starts this season.
NHK
20-05-2025
- Sport
- NHK
Japanese former baseball star coaches kids in Jakarta
Many Indonesian children love soccer, leaving baseball with plenty of room for growth. Help recently came from a former Japanese pro pitcher, who knows a thing or two about throwing fast balls. Kudo Kimiyasu recorded 224 wins and later managed the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. He was seen on Saturday teaching kids in Jakarta. About 100 junior high and high school students took part. A boy who attended the class said he was very happy to learn directly from Kudo. Another boy said Kudo taught him how to practice at home, and he wants to do it every day. Kudo said: "I hope more Indonesian children play baseball. I want people around the world to know how wonderful this sport can be."
