NRU in a state of flux over a leadership vacuum
The Niue Rugby Union is in a state of flux due to issues of a leadership vacuum within the organization.
According to reliable sources who wish to remain anonymous, the Niue rugby union is in a state of turmoil after the resignation of CEO Norman Mitimeti last week. BCN News has not been able to reach Mr Mitimeti to confirm this.
According to the sources, the only member of the Executive still on island is Sidney Lui who is currently in isolation after returning from New Zealand last week. The other executive member Tony Edwards has moved to New Zealand and the late Sir Toke Talagi was the President.
BCN News sources say that the “village unions are concerned with this situation and are calling for an annual general meeting to install a new NRU Committee. According to the source, “at least two teams have pulled out from the tournament”
The sevens tournament was initially planned to take place last Friday 28th August but did not happen and is now planned to take place this coming Friday 4th September.
Zac Smith confirmed to BCN News this morning that he has been approached to help organize the tournament.
According to Smith, there are four teams competing on Friday and two women’s teams. An initiative of the union to host a women’s sevens game where one team from the East coast villages will play against the team from the West coast.
Zac Smith said that he has been coaching the East Coast women’s teams and is not sure if there will be enough women players from the West coast team to have a game on Friday.
According to our sources, the NRU needs these tournaments to go ahead in order to continue to receive funding from World Rugby.
NRU Executive member Sidney Lui did not want to comment on this story.
