VODAFONE Fiji launched their Rugby 7s calendar on Friday to help raise funds for the team in their efforts towards Rio.

Acting chief executive officer Dvik Deo said while the team was focusing their efforts towards being in the required state to compete at both the HSBS World Rugby Sevens Series and the Olympics they needed support from their fans.

“Vodafone realises that this is no ordinary year for the 7s side. There is great expectation and demands from the fans for the team to deliver. But the team alone cannot do it without all of our support.

“We realise that the team needs to strengthen their available pool of players this season particularly to meet the obligations in the world 7s series and still be able to send a full strength team to represent Fiji at the Olympic Games. This requires additional resources and support to make it happen,” he said.

The calendar features a selected number of players with each player serving as a celebrity of the month.

With production costs per calendar costing $5, for each sale of $10, $5 will be contributed to the team road to Rio campaign, once productions costs are recovered.

During the launch, a large crowd gathered at the Vodafone Triangle in Suva to witness the event as well as get their calendars signed by the 7s players.

Fiji 7s team manager Ropate Kauvesi said they were grateful for the people’s contribution in making the team realise their goal of raising enough funds as they prepare for the world event.

“It does mean a lot financially for the team, there are things that we have to look at, and there are players that we have to fly in, and supplements and additional stuff.

“Every little money that comes in will be for the benefit of the team, all the little things that come in contribute to the bigger picture,” he said.