Fiji Bitter Marist 7s
SPORT is a unifying factor in our nation, and as the region’s leading alcohol beverages manufacturer, Paradise Beverages, through the Fiji Bitter brand, has once again sponsored Fiji’s biggest annual rugby tournament, in partnership with the Marist 7s club.
This competition began in 1976 with the aim of promoting and developing grassroots rugby. It was played at the Marist Brothers High School grounds in Flagstaff with only nine teams taking to the field. The prize pool back then? Five cartons of our iconic Fiji Bitter.
Paradise Beverages general manager sales and corporate affairs, Joe Rodan, has fond memories from 45 years ago.
“I played in the first tournament and remember it was a small tournament, but it meant a lot to all those who participated and the opportunities to really develop rugby,” Rodan said.
“It gets bigger and better each year with the talented rugby players, supporters, sponsors, volunteers and the way the event is organised. This is the 45th year of the tournament and we’ve been able to provide sponsorship and prizes of around $65k. We’re very proud of how far this tournament has come, and the part we have played in it.”
Every year players are identified by club sides as potential prospects, and in some cases, they’ve had the opportunity to move onto the national sevens teams or to showcase their skills in rugby clubs abroad.
“It’s a blessing to be a part of this incredible platform that showcases the God-given talents of our rugby players and to see them grow in a sport where they can potentially become professional rugby players,” says Rodan.
“Part of our mission is to ‘share our success’ and this is what we are doing by sponsoring this tournament. This is part us giving back to the community.”
The Fiji Bitter Marist 7s tournament is now the biggest annual rugby event on the Fiji rugby calendar.
Paradise Beverages is a leading local manufacturer and is among the Pacific region’s largest local employers.
Paradise Beverages continually works to be recognised as the premier place to work, by looking after its people.
Paradise Beverages believes in creating world-class beverages and making a positive contribution to the business and the markets in which it operates.
The organisation employs around 450 staff across Fiji and Samoa and works out of four sites including the Vailima Brewery in Apia (Samoa), Fiji Brewery in Suva (Fiji) and Rum Co of Fiji Distillery in Lautoka (Fiji).
More information on Paradise Beverages
Please visit the Paradise Beverages website: www.paradisebeverages.com.fj or by contacting media@paradisebeverages.com.fj.