Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions (FORU) has announced that Elenoa Kunatuba from Fiji has been appointed as the first Oceania Regional Women’s Rugby Development Officer.

The position, capsule which is jointly funded by the International Rugby Board (IRB) and the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC), is the first of its kind for the Oceania region. It is one of a number of initiatives that has been launched following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between FORU and ONOC earlier this year.

William Glenwright, the IRB General Manager for Oceania, said:  “the appointment is a significant step forward for the development of the women’s game in the Oceania region.”

“The inclusion of Rugby Sevens on the Olympic Program for 2016 and 2020 has opened up a great opportunity for us to grow the Women’s game in the Oceania Region. Indeed, a key focus of the MOU between FORU and the IRB is on the growth of Women’s Rugby and we are delighted to have someone of the calibre of Elenoa on our team to drive that growth in Oceania,” said Glenwright

Susan Carty, IRB Women’s Development Manager, said: “FORU is the first region to employ someone with a specific mandate to grow women’s Rugby. With the completion of the Women’s Strategic Plan, we have many exciting initiatives planned around the world and Elenoa’s appointment will be fundamental to delivering those programs successfully in Oceania,” Carty said.

Elenoa comes to the position with a wealth of experience in rugby and the business community. The Semo, Nadroga villager was educated at Suva Grammar School before going on to study business and payroll accounting. She is an IRB Accredited Educator as well as an IRB level 1 Referee and IRB Level 3 Coach.

In the past few years Kunatuba has been a successful player/coach with the Fijian club side Teivovo; coached at club level in Fiji (Sea Hawks) at both 15s and Sevens for a number of high level victories; coached the Suva provincial women’s team and coached internationally with the Fijian women’s team and most recently as Head Coach of the national women’s team of India.

“I feel I have a lot to offer the development of Rugby, especially with it now being included in the Olympic Games. I hope my involvement across the Oceania region will help promote rugby in each of the Member Unions and then for this to be reflected in the Olympic Games arena,” Kunatuba said.

“I am thankful for the support from Fiji Women’s Rugby Union as they played a part in my career development. Hopefully other women will now be more aware that there is a career pathway in women’s Rugby whether it is on the field or on the sideline.”

Sky New Zealand and the National Rugby League have confirmed a deal over the broadcast rights to NRL and Toyota Cup matches just 24 hours before the first-grade season begins in Sydney.

Sky Sport NZ posted on its Facebook page that the deal would be formally announced today.

“The NRL and SKY Television have tonight agreed a deal in principle to bring the excitement of the Telstra Premiership, Holden State of Origin and the Holden Cup to viewers across New Zealand.”

The situation is a repeat of last year’s wrangle to settle a television deal, with Sky NZ and the NRL agreeing only two days before the start of the season.

It is understood the NRL wanted $A20m ($US20.5m) per season for the next five years. Sky is believed to currently pay $NZ14m ($US11.6m) per season.

Real Madrid and Barcelona have both reportedly refused to accept the Spanish Football Federation’s deal to play the Supercopa playing in China.

The federation and United Vansen Int’l Sport agreed a deal that would see the Supercopa played in China for five of the next seven years.

The federation would receive €30M ($US37.7M) and award €3M ($US3.8M) to each finalist. But both teams said the trip would be exhaustive for their players and too far for the fans to travel.

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Janette Harkess, a experienced Scottish journalist, has been given the job as head of media relations strategy for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. 

The former deputy editor of both The Herald and The Evening Times in the city, Harkness is due to join Glasgow 2014 on December 5 from the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI), where she has been director of policy and research since September 2009. 

A key component of her new role will be to drive forward the media engagement strategy for the Games as well as profile-raising activity across Scotland, the UK and internationally in advance of Glasgow 2014.

Harkness will also provide strategic advice to senior management and board members on media activity, to ensure the Games enjoy a significant amount of coverage and reach as many people as possible to create a tangible air of excitement around this global sporting event, Glasgow officials said. 

Harkess joined the Herald and Times group from the Scottish Daily Mail as deputy editor of The Evening Times in December 1999. 

She became deputy editor of The Herald in 2006 before joining SCDI, Scotland’s leading independent economic development network.

“Through Glasgow 2014, Scotland has a fantastic opportunity, not just to showcase our world-class credentials in global event delivery, but also to inspire individuals, businesses and our nation to be more confident in our ability to compete,” said Harkness.

“I look forward to being part of a team committed to delivering a successful and dynamic Commonwealth Games experience of lasting positive impact and of which our nation can be proud.”

Glasgow 2014’s director of communications and marketing, Gordon Arthur, commented about the appointment: “We are delighted to have someone of Janette’s calibre join the team. She brings a deep knowledge of Scotland’s media, business and civic landscape and a real passion for Glasgow and the Games.

“With a little under three years to go, we look forward to the contribution she will make to the organisation as we enter this crucial period for Glasgow 2014. Janette will build on the work already done to raise awareness of the Games, their impact and the legacy they will leave Glasgow and Scotland.”

July 4 is the date when Glasgow Rangers will find out if their newco club will be allowed to compete in the Scottish Premier League (SPL).

The Ibrox side also faces disciplinary proceedings from the league’s governing body over its use of tax avoiding offshore employee benefit trusts (EBTs) to pay players between 2000 and 2010.

On Monday, the SPL confirmed it would hold a meeting of all clubs early next month to decide on the application to transfer Rangers’ SPL member share to a new business entity, currently called Sevco 5088 Limited.

At the meeting the clubs can decide if the deal can go ahead after Rangers FC plc failed to survive once it was plunged into administration with debts of up to £134m.

A statement from the SPL read: “An application for registration of transfer of Rangers’ SPL share has been received. Consideration of the application will depend on receipt by the SPL Board of all required documentation and verification.

“A general meeting of all 12 member clubs has been convened for 10am on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, for members to decide whether to approve the transfer.”

Member clubs will also have the opportunity at the meeting to decide what punishment the newco club would face should it be admitted to the league.

The SPL’s lawyers informed the meeting that Rangers have a “case to answer” over the use of EBTs to pay players outside of contract, making them ineligible.

Formula One team Williams have announced two inclusions to the company’s board of directors with the appointments of Nick Rose and Louise Evans.

Rose joins Toto Wolff, Mike O’Driscoll and Eddie Charlton as the company’s fourth non-executive director and will chair the Audit Committee.

Evans steps up to finance director from her current position as the group’s head of finance. They will both join with immediate effect.

Williams chairman Adam Parr, said: “I am delighted to welcome Nick and Louise to our Board. As a highly experienced finance professional, and a member of the Board of two of Britain’s largest listed companies, Nick will chair our Audit Committee.

“As a businessman with experience in the automotive, consumer and luxury sectors, he will be an invaluable asset for Williams F1. Since joining Williams eight years ago, Louise has implemented the highest standards of financial control and reporting and she played a key role in enabling the company to achieve a listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange earlier this year.

“The combination of our executive and non-executive directors means we now have a tremendous and balanced Board which can provide the Company and our shareholders with the highest standards of leadership and governance.”

Sky Sports have inked a significant five-year broadcast deal with the Professional Darts Corporation.

The agreement offers Sky Sports viewers over 50 days of live and exclusive darts throughout the year including the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship each Christmas until 2018.

As part of the deal, Sky Sports viewers will also enjoy live coverage of the McCoy’s Premier League, PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix, William Hill Grand Slam of Darts, Betfair World Cup of Darts and the Betfair World Matchplay, which celebrates its 20th staging this summer.

The partnership between Sky Sports and the PDC extends back to the organisation’s formation two decades ago, beginning with the 1994 World Championship.

Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, said: “Sky Sports has worked with the PDC since the early 1990s, helping to build the sport from working men’s clubs to some of the biggest arenas in the UK and Ireland.”

He added: “This is a real success story and an excellent long term partnership. Our live coverage and promotion of darts is unique and Sky Sports viewers can enjoy the fantastic atmosphere that these events generate for a further five years.”

PDC chairman Barry Hearn said: “We’ve just celebrated our 20th world championship with the best tournament ever staged, and both that event and the current McCoy’s Premier League Darts show how far the sport has come in the past two decades.

“Sky Sports has played an integral part in the growth of darts, with its innovative and high quality broadcasts and fundamental support of the PDC, and we are delighted to sign this new broadcast contract.

“This deal is not only great for the PDC but also for our players, who will be playing in huge events live on Sky Sports in the coming years.”.

“Club 12” has taken up Rangers spot in the Scottish Premier League (SPL) fixture list with their place in the top-flight competition still yet to be decided.

Rangers were docked 10 points for entering administration last season, a decision that helped Celtic win the SPL title.

League officials have still to decide if Rangers will play in Scottish football’s top-flight next season after a consortium led by English businessman Charles Green took over the club by creating a new company to run its business.

If Rangers do become ‘Club 12’ they will be away to Kilmarnock on August 4. If not, their place will be taken by either relegated Dunfermline or First Division runners-up Dundee.

Should Rangers remain in the top flight, the first Old Firm game will be at Parkhead on September 22, with another, at Ibrox, on Boxing Day.

Last month, Rangers won their court battle against a transfer embargo imposed by the Scottish Football Association (SFA).

The SFA’s disciplinary panel last month imposed a 12-month ban that stopped Rangers registering players aged 18 and over, but a judge at the Court of Session in Edinburgh ruled the panel acted outside of their powers.

The full extent of Rangers’ financial problems was revealed shortly before the SFA punishments in April.

Rangers’ administrators estimated the club’s total debts could top £134 million, including more than £93 million which is being claimed by British tax authorities.

Former Arizona Diamondbacks executive Jerry Dipoto has signed a five-year contract as general manager of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

The 43-year-old Dipoto takes over after Tony Reagins resigned as GM in September. The Angels have been second in the American League West for the second season in a row after winning the division in five of the previous six seasons.

Dipoto, buy at a press conference, unhealthy said he would emphasize developing talent within the organization using a blend of statistical analysis and old-school scouting. He said he also plans to take advantage of the Latin American and Asian talent markets.

Dipoto also said he shares many of Angel manager Mike Scioscia’s philosophies.

Dipoto pitched in the Major Leagues with the Mets, erectile Cleveland Indians and Colorado Rockies from 1993 through 2000. He compiled a record of 27-24 with a 4.05 ERA in 390 career appearances, all in relief.

He has held front office positions with the Rockies, Boston Red Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks, serving as Arizona’s interim general manager last season.

ESPN STAR Sports, India’s leading sports broadcaster, has expanded its sports bouquet with the addition of a new channel, STAR Sports 2.

The new channel is being launched especially for the Indian sub-continent keeping in mind the growing need of Indian sports fans. The new channel will be officially launched on March 11, 2013. STAR Sports 2 will be the 6^th channel to be launched by ESPN STAR Sports in India after STAR Sports, STAR Cricket, STAR Cricket HD, ESPN and ESPN HD.

STAR Sports 2 will showcase live & non-live events across sporting categories like cricket, soccer, tennis, motor racing and golf. The new channel promises to offer more sports, more action, more excitement, more passion, more emotions, more exhilaration and more heroes to follow for sports fans across the country.

Speaking on STAR India’s strategy for sports business, Sanjay Gupta, Chief Operating Officer, STAR India, said, “Our vision is to expand the sports viewership in the country. STAR network has acquired some of the best sporting properties in every genre and is committed to taking sports broadcasting to a new level. These include broadcast rights to the BCCI national and domestic Cricket for 6 years; broadcast rights of Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A and English FA Cup and England international matches.

“Apart from exciting live content, we are also innovating in the way we present sports. Our brand new Hindi presentation on the live cricket broadcast allows audiences to enjoy the game in their preferred language, which was very well received by viewers.

“Similarly our recent launch www.starsports.com enables us to engage with passionate cricket fans like never before, and we are delighted with the site’s ramp up in the last 2 months.

“The launch of our new channel STAR Sports 2 is an extension of the same strategy. It allows us to broadcast a wide array of sports content across channels, and cater to multiple live events simultaneously. STAR Sports 2 will further our commitment towards continued, effective and unprecedented coverage of all major events which are of interest to a diverse set of audience across the country.”