Organisers look at boosting U21 teams
MARIST Rugby Club president Lawrence Tikaram says most teams will be playing in the tournament for the first time during the 47th Fiji Bitter Marist Sevens this weekend.
Most of these teams are from grassroots clubs.
Dubbed the mother of all 7s tournaments in Fiji, this year has recorded a large number of teams taking part.
Tikaram said they were planning to reduce the number of teams to participate, but unfortunately, the demand was too high.
“One month before the tournament all the spots were booked,” he said.
“Some teams on the waiting list had been included in the senior men’s team and the number has increased to 44.
“This is to show the depth that we have as the future of the Marist 7s will continue to expand from the under-21 category and we are looking at narrowing the main cup competition.
“It is because we believe that the U21 competition is the breeding ground for
– future players to represent the country.”
He said it was going to be a very exciting tournament and he had called on supporters and fans to come out in numbers and support their teams.
“With the change in the format, on day one, we will use one ground to make it easier for the media to control.
“On day two, we will split into two grounds as supposed to three, we will come back to one ground.”
The Fiji Barbarians are the defending champions.
The 47th Fiji Bitter Marist 7s 2023 is scheduled to take place from March 16-18 at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
It is because we believe that the U21 competition is the breeding ground for future players to represent the country
Lawrence Tikaram