PROVINCIAL rugby is in full swing once again as round one of the Skipper Cup and Marama Cup tournaments kick off across the country today.
A total of 10 teams in both competitions will be out in force to have an opportunity to get themselves towards winning the respective coveted titles.
The tournaments were launched at the Butt Street Hall opposite the office of the Fiji Rugby Union in Suva yesterday.
Speaking at the event, Fiji Rugby Union acting chief executive Koli Sewabu acknowledged the provincial rugby unions present for preparing their teams well for the competition.
“To our provincial unions, your efforts are the foundation of these competitions. We thank you for preparing your teams each season,” Sewabu said.
“We know many of you operate with very limited resources, often volunteering your time, energy and expertise so your commitment is a true reflection of the passion that lives in our rugby communities.”
With the Marama Cup also being launched and running alongside its male equivalent, he highlighted the depth prevalent within it as a key ground of selection for national representatives.
“So that should give every player, every coach and the community the hope that their hard work is not in vain. This is where dreams are made and opportunities are earned.”
This year’s competition will have nine rounds of competition starting from today till October 11, followed by a promotion/relegation segment and the quarter-finals on October 18.
The semi-finals will take place on October 28, followed by the final on November 1.
Skipper Cup teams: Ba, Lautoka, Macuata, Malolo, Nadi, Nadroga, Naitasiri, Suva, Tailevu, Vatukoula.
Marama Cup teams: Kadavu, Lautoka, Nadi, Nadroga, Naitasiri, Namosi, Nasinu, Suva, Tailevu, Yasawa.
