Royal Tea backs WOMEN’S RANADI CUP COMP
The Fiji Rugby Union, this week, unveiled a new brand identity for the Women’s 15s Tier 2 Championship.
FRU chief executive officer John O’Connor said it’s a privilege to introduce the: The Royal Tea Fiji Rugby Ranadi Cup competition, which now sets the platform and pathway for women’s rugby in the country.
The Ranadi Cup is the development grade for the ANZ Marama Championship, which will have 16 provincial teams battling it out on a weekly home and away basis in a round robin format before the semifinals and final.
O’Connor said the Ranadi Cup would be the Tier 2 competition played amongst the teams which used to play in the Vanua Championship.
While unveiling the Fiji Rugby Ranadi Cup major sponsor; Royal Tea, the Fiji Rugby CEO said the term Ranadi symbolises the continuous development and growth of women’s rugby players to reaching the top.
“From now on, the Ranadi Cup has a brand identity which reflects ambition and where diversity is celebrated, and everyone should feel welcome.”
O’Connor also acknowledged CJ Patel for coming on board to sponsor the Ranadi Cup competition. He said the competition would now officially be called The Royal Tea Fiji Rugby Ranadi Cup.
“We are excited that Royal Tea has come on board to be the new sponsor
of the Ranadi Cup for the next three years. This is the turning point for women’s rugby in Fiji. There is now a clear pathway for every girl playing rugby in Fiji, from Kaji, to the Raluve competition, to the Ranadi competition, to the Marama competition, the Fijiana 7s, the Fijiana Drua and then ultimately to the Fijiana XVs.
“We at Rugby House are extremely grateful to the team at CJ Patel for their faith in women’s rugby and trusting Fiji Rugby through their sponsorship for the Ranadi Cup competition. We are so humbled for their support in such challenging times” he said.
The CEO, Ms Alisha Patel and Board of CJ Patel have great pleasure to announce yet another partnership with Fiji Rugby Union by taking on the naming right for Ranadi Cup which will now be called Royal Tea Ranadi Cup.
More firepower
CJ Patel group marketing manager, Ashwin Prasad said, “We understand the need to develop grass root rugby and more importantly, Women’s Rugby.
The Royal Tea Ranadi Cup sponsorship will help drive development of Women in rugby and help transition talent to premier level as they progress.
It is our firm belief that development and support must start from grassroots and we have proven this with our eight-year strong commitment in Skipper Provincial Cup and now, we start another long term journey with the Royal Tea Ranadi Cup.
Royal Tea has been in Fiji for over 18 years and is the number one brand of choice at every home.
We therefore felt this would suit well to sponsor grassroots women’s rugby using Royal Tea.
As we return to normalcy, we urge every Fijian to support their teams as they take on the pride of their provinces and clubs to conquer the Royal Tea Ranadi Cup.
Expect more firepower in the Royal Tea Ranadi Cup competition as they will battle for the top two positions on the table so they could be promoted into the ANZ Marama Championship next year and also the players will try to impress the national team scouts for the up-coming international events this year.
“Our women teams have the busiest of calendar this year, with Commonwealth Games and 7s Rugby World Cup lined-up for Fijiana 7s and then the Rugby World Cup for the Fijiana 15s in New Zealand in September. The Fijiana 15s also have test matches scheduled this year.
The onus is now on the union coaches and players to train hard and prepare well as there are clear pathways from the grassroots to national level.
“They need to put in all the hard yards during the competition so players can put their hands up for selection into the national teams.”
The two teams finishing at the top of the table will be promoted to the ANZ Marama Championship.
Games shall be played on a round robin basis either at home or away with each team playing three home games and three away.
We at Rugby House are extremely grateful to the team at CJ Patel for their faith in women’s rugby and trusting Fiji Rugby through their sponsorship for the Ranadi Cup competition. We are so humbled for their support in such challenging times John O’Connor FRU chief executive OFfiCER