Conway Beg appointed as Fiji Rugby Chairman

Fiji Rugby is pleased to announce that the Fiji Rugby Board has now elected Mr. Conway Beg to the role of the Chairman to succeed the outgoing Chairman, Commander Francis Kean.

Fiji Rugby Chief Executive Mr. John O’Connor said Mr. Beg has been appointed to the FRU Board by the Honorable Prime Minister Mr. Voreqe Bainimarama under the provisions of the Fiji Rugby Constitution and this announcement now completes the round of rotation on the Fiji Rugby Board for 2020.

Mr. Beg is an architect by profession and is registered to practice in Fiji and the UK. He is a Charted Member of The Royal Institute of British Architects and is currently engaged on projects in Fiji. In addition to the Fiji Rugby Board, he also sits on the Boards of Building Permit Evaluation Committee and Fiji Association of Architects Task Force.

His inclusion into the Fiji Rugby Board will add stimulus and momentum to further the development of rugby in Fiji.

“Mr. Beg will further the legacy of the Board and I am certain that under his Chairmanship, we will continue to strive to move Rugby in Fiji forward from where we are at the moment and aspire for world standards both on and off the field,” said Mr O’Connor

Meanwhile the CEO Fiji Rugby John O’connor again acknowledged and thanked the former Chairman for his strong and no-nonsense leadership in the last 5 years which has resulted in great achievements and bringing FRU to where it today. During

his term as the Chairman, while Fiji Rugby transformed as an organization, he was firm that Fiji Rugby must maintain its strong links with all our affiliates unions and more importantly in reinvesting in grassroots rugby and world class customer services.

In accepting the challenge to try to fill the big shoes left by the outgoing Chairman Commander Francis Kean, Mr. Beg said that he is fortunate to lead Fiji’s biggest sports organization.

“I am indeed grateful to the Honorable Prime Minister and President of Fiji Rugby, Mr. Voreqe Bainimarama for appointing me to the Fiji Rugby Board and also to the Directors of such Board to show support and to elect me as the Chairman.” Mr Beg said.

“I take this opportunity to thank the outgoing Chairman, Commander Francis Kean for all the achievements and working tirelessly to realize these, and the huge momentum that Fiji Rugby has achieved on the World Rugby stage. Vinaka Vaka Levu Mr Kean” he said.

Mr Beg has been involved in all aspects of the game from primary schools through to National level. Returning from London in 1992 he began the Fiji Rugby journey as player and coach.

In 1997, Mr Beg won the Escort Shield with Suva Rugby Union and then later went on to successfully win the Shield a further 5 times.

In 1999, Mr Beg was the mentor for Suva Rugby when the team reached the Telecom Cup Championship and in 2001 he was part of the Fiji Barbarians coaching panel.

Mr. Beg’s National level sporting achievements includes:

· 1998 Coach Fiji Under-21 to win the International Under- 21 series by beating Australia in the final. The series include Australia, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji.

· Coaching the Presidents 15 side against Italy in 2000, which Fiji won convincingly 34-14.

· Coaching the Fiji U21 Team which was scheduled to take part in the U21 Southern Hemisphere Alliance Tournament in New Zealand, but the team was unfortunately dis-allowed to compete due to the events of May 19th, that year.

· Assistant Coach of the National Team in 2001, which won the Pacific Rim Championship for the first time that year beating Samoa 28 -17 at the Prince Chichibua Stadium in Japan

· Co-coaching the Fiji Barbarians against the Australian Barbarians, which the Fiji Babarians won 56-38 at the then National Stadium (ANZ Stadium) and he also was the Assistant Coach for the Fiji Team’s tour to Italy and France in November 2001.

Additionally, there is a long list of Fijian national players both in the 7s and 15s code who were under his coaching, who have now made successful careers in the sport.

Mr. Beg has currently stayed in touch with assisting schools and rugby development in the communities.