Players groomed for better opportunities
The Waidalice Nailega Babaas sevens rugby team is vying for a spot in the Under-21 elimination round quarter final in today’s Fiji Bitter Nawaka Sevens tournament at Prince Charles Park, Nadi.
Speaking to SUNsports coach Filimoni Malorua said the team trained at the Naitutu Village ground in Tailevu.
“The team had a good preparation in the lead-up to the Nawaka tournament,” he said.
“A few challenges we faced include the lack of training facilities and grounds for our training sessions.”
Malorua said the team learnt their lesson in their Bowl semifinal loss last week.
“The area we need to work on is our handling, passing skills and strengthening our ruck,” he said. “The team’s strength will be each player’s individual brilliance because a few of these boys were part of the Ratu Kadavulevu School U18 team.”
Malorua said most of the players are young farmers while a few are tertiary students.
“The main target for the youths in the village is to manage their farms in order to play,” he said. “The village youths usually tend to their farms in the morning then train in the afternoon.”
Malorua has urged their supporters to turn up at Prince Charles Park in Nadi, this weekend to cheer the team.
Raiwasa Taveuni rugby team has prepared well for the Fiji Bitter Nawaka Sevens tournament that kicks off this morning at Prince Charles Park, Nadi.
The side lost to Fire in the quarterfinals of the Nahehevia 7s last week, players are hopeful in performing better at the Nawaka outing.
Coach Eneriko Cicila said the team has prepared well and is looking to progress further to the semi-final.
“We have a team full of young players who are confident of showcasing a better performance this weekend,” Cicila said. “Most of these players are farmers who are blessed with rugby talent and skills.”
Cicila said they faced a few financial difficulties in their preparation phase.
“We have more talent back in the islands, but we lack the funds to bring them over to Viti Levu,” he said.
“We have a few players who are from Viti Levu; we are glad to include some players from Raiwasa for this tournament.
“We lacked possession in our quarter-final clash against Fire which was our downfall and we have been working in that area during training.
“The team’s biggest strength is team unity.” Management has taken clips of the players’ performances to assist them secure and overseas opportunities.
“These players can go on to represent the national teams and overseas clubs to support their families,” he said.
“I usually tell these boys to treat rugby as a career and commit to the sport for them to gain an income out of it rather than just playing for the sake of it.”
Cicila had urged the fans of Raiwasa Taveuni to come in numbers at Prince Charles Park in Nadi.
The Fiji Bitter Nawaka 7s tournament kicks off today and ends tomorrow.
– Adults $7,
Adults $10, children $5.
Admisson: Day 2 – Day 1
national children $5;