THE Fiji Airways Fiji 7s team was accorded a traditional ceremony of welcome by members of three villages in Tailevu on Friday.
Villagers of Cautata, Waicoka and Vatoa, Bau, Tailevu, herald the national reps traditionally and the women performed a cere, a special welcome gesture where the players run after women who carried traditional gifts such as tabua when they arrived for the first time at Cautata.
The team members were invited as guests of the Cautata District School prefect induction ceremony.
School head teacher Sailosi Kama said the ceremony was accorded upon the directive of the elders of the villages.
“We had asked them to be our chief guests at our prefect induction event,” Kama said.
“We had the support of the vanua when we welcomed the players since they carried the name of our country and our 14 provinces.
“Their presence lifted the enthusiasm of our students and we thank the team for accepting our invitation because the players helped motivate the students to work hard at school.”
Coach Gareth Baber, his assistant Saiasi Fuli and manager Jone Niurua were accompanied by Isake Katonibau, captain Jerry Tuwai, Eroni Sau, Alosio Raduva, Sakeo Railoa, Paula Dranisinukula and Batinisavu Uluiyata.
The team, meanwhile, is in camp at the Uprising Beach Resort at Pacific Harbour to prepare for next month’s Las Vegas 7s and Vancouver 7s.
The next leg of the series will be held next month.
