FOR 41 years, the Fiji Bitter Marist 7s has always looked at hosting a tournament for the many rugby clubs in the country.
In 1976, when the first Marist 7s started, the prize was just five cartons of beer — Fiji Bitter, known as “the sportsman’s beer” from Carlton Brewery Ltd.
The company is now known as Paradise Beverages.
From that humble beginning of five cartons of beer, the tournament now enjoys a $41,000 sponsorship, and is billed as one of the biggest and toughest annual Pacific 7s rugby tournaments.
The tournament is owned and annually organised by the Marist Rugby Club of Suva.
This newspaper spoke to its chairman Lawrence Tikaram on the preparation of this year’s competition.
An increased sponsorship to $41,000, but with $10,000 as the Cup prizemoney, Tikaram explains the reasons behind their decision regarding Fiji’s biggest local rugby 7s tournament.
The tournament will this year be held on March 24 and 25.
TS: How are the registrations coming in so far?
Tikaram: We anticipate that most teams will register by late January to late February after our launch on December 22. This will give all teams enough time for Christmas and New Year to prepare and register in full. This has been the trend over the past five years since we introduced registration fees through ANZ Bank. As indicated the first 64 teams that fully pay their fees with correct registration details before closing date on or before March 5 will be considered. We have had calls from teams asking about details on how to register, which shows a lot of new interest, and ask that you do assist us in sharing this information correctly — “proper team name and manager’s mobile number on the ANZ Bank narration strip when making team registration full deposits” — is a requirement.
A few local teams such as the Eagle Warriors and Bula Tale have confirmed participation as well. Because it is early days, team managers and coaches are looking at their preparation plans.
However, each year we sadly refund many teams their full registration for missing out on deadlines and feel for the players who have trained so hard only to miss out on a spot.
Taking into account recent developments this week on teams calling in to confirm their participation, this would mean that theoretically only 54 spots will be available since one week of launch (four teams from overseas — 3 clubs from Japan and a Tongan national team, Nawaka Rugby Club, Bula Tale, Eagles and a team from Namosi and two Marist teams), so yes, spots are flying out fast.
TS: How many international teams and which ones have shown interest to join the tournament?
Tikaram: We have been kindly introduced to a few Japanese clubs — Saga Sports Commission and Akita Sports Promotion Division — through our Embassy in Japan from Fijian ambassador Isikeli Mataitoga for which we are truly grateful, and letters of invitation will be sent to them as per procedural matters.
Also with the Tongan national team, we have also sent tournament details to them as they have confirmed their participation.
TS: With the increase in sponsorship money, would you be able to tell us why the men’s registration fees have increased this year?
Tikaram: Our partner and major sponsor Paradise Beverages have funded $41,000.00 for the total prizemoney for 2017 event of which we are truly grateful for. This shows their continued support for an amazing 41 years of grassroots rugby development.
The Fiji Bitter Marist 7s has set a precedent where the total prizemoney is now shared to all teams and this year will be no exception.
Looking back at the history, in 2012, a total cash sponsorship was $35,000 and only 36 teams in the main cup shared the prizemoney.
That has all changed now. Since 2013, all 64 men’s teams, eight women’s and eight oldies teams share the total prizemoney.
This is a massive step in how tournaments are run. Win or lose, you are rewarded for participating at the Fiji Bitter Marist 7s.
This is unprecedented and has set a benchmark for all teams getting something back for their participation in the biggest local organised 7s tournament — the Fiji Bitter Marist 7s.
Because we have continually agreed that the total prize sponsorship is diverted as 100 per cent prizes for all teams, we need to cover significant costs to run the tournament.
The prizemoney generously provided for by our major sponsors Fiji Bitter does not fund any administrative costs, which we have to secure for ourselves and are happy to do so.
We discussed this with our sponsor who supported the approach, because this ensured full sponsorship of their funding is given to all teams participating at the Fiji Bitter Marist 7s and to support grassroots rugby development.
Running a tournament of this magnitude comes at a high cost as we want to give the best to our players and officials because they are always our priority when it comes to providing the best for them.
The ANZ Stadium, by far is the best venue and we cannot compromise on these facilities with another. This has a relative associated cost in hiring the best facilities you pay top dollars for top-quality facility and our players deserve the best.
Player safety is our key priority, so associated costs to have the St John Ambulance and medical personnel as well is a key feature. We are so grateful to the Fiji National University and CWM Hospital for providing assistance to us. Last year we had three tournament doctors and over 40 medical personnel to assist our players and officials. This year will be no exception.
In ensuring we have highly qualified referees, we continually engage the services of Fiji Rugby Union referees which comes at a cost to have the best available at our tournament.
Our refs, who are an important factor and partner for the event, are well looked after and are also provided with uniforms, meals, tournament beverages, and in some cases accommodation for the ones who travel from the West and for their personal sacrifice of wanting to officiate at the event. As refs are our key partners, they need to be recognised for their hard efforts, so there is a cost to do this. All of these are tournament administrative operational costs.
Players’ safety and welfare are paramount, so we introduced a village concept where all teams are provided the option of a covered structure at the “games village”. This again only happens at the Fiji Bitter Marist 7s.
TS: With the sponsorship increasing every year and we also have the men’s team’s registration fees also increasing to $600, why over these many years is Marist Rugby still giving $10,000 as prizemoney?
Tikaram: The Fiji Bitter Marist 7s continues to provide all sponsorship money towards prizes for all teams, whether they win or not, which again is unprecedented.
This year will be no exception and will be in its fifth year where all teams receive cash prizes.
In 2016, the generous cash sponsorship was $40,000 and we paid out above the sponsorship for all winning and losing teams and the new individual categories we created to a total prize pool of $41,230.
We intend to do the same this year as well to provide cash prizes to all winning and losing teams in the tournament, which makes our tournament a competitive and rewarding one with one of the highest standards of local rugby competition.
Prior to that the generous amounts of $35,000 for prizemoney per annum was provided for as cash sponsorship by our major sponsors Paradise Beverages from 2012 to 2015 where we have continued to pay above the cash sponsorship amounts.
Ten thousand dollars continue to remain as the winning prize of the main cup tournament of the men’s competition winner. This is because we have a wider base of all teams all winning cash prizes, this means the lower-ranked teams continue to benefit from any increased sponsorship, which is purely supporting grassroots rugby level. So the lower-ranked teams now get a higher portion of any increases in sponsorship from our major sponsor Paradise Beverages’ Fiji Bitter of which we are truly grateful for. In reflection to the past of women’s rugby, it has been our vocal view of development, we have tremendously increased their prizemoney from what is was in 2012 from $1000 to last year — $2000 — a 100 per cent increase, as we have strong views in supporting women’s rugby in Fiji and have provided for eight places for them in our tournament.
All winners and losers in the plate, bowl, shield, 3rd and 4th cup playoffs all receive generous cash prizemoney. This includes teams in the classic golden oldies and women’s competition. Everyone’s a winner when you participate at the 41st Fiji Bitter Marist 7s
TS: What do teams get in return from their $600 registration fees?
Tikaram: There are many awesome benefits from competing at the Fiji Bitter Marist 7s.
All teams are being ensured of cash prizemoney on participation whether they win or lose which is not provided for in any other local tournament of this magnitude. In the main cup competition all teams that are eliminated get $150 cash back prizemoney. That’s great value for a $600 registration so we are talking about forty teams receiving this.
Apart from getting enormous competitive game time with other competitive teams and increasing each team’s chances of competitive exposure, teams get to play at the world-class ANZ Stadium which has the best facilities in Fiji — at a relative cost.
You also get to send in team of 15 players and three officials, which was a new benchmark for our tournament — to assist in players’ recovery and team preparation time. This, we will continue to promote. Managers who take advantage of this know the full benefits for them and the team.
The other valued in kind sponsorship from our other partner — beverage supply of isotonic sports drinks “Powerade and FIJI Water” throughout the tournament, along with a rugby ball for each team adds tremendous value to them competing at our tournament of the 41st Fiji Bitter Marist 7s. Selected teams receive $50 fuel vouchers from our generous partner Pacific Energy as well. All winning teams receive medals and trophies for their recognition.
Other individual categories we have created as well where players and teams receive trophies, medals, cash prizemoney, Fiji Bitter products where we recognise certain talents such as the “Fiji Bitter Marist 7s find of the tournament” — $500 (plus trophy and medal), Fiji Bitter Marist 7s top try scorer — men’s — $250 (plus trophy and medal), Fiji Bitter top try scorer women’s — $250 (plus trophy and medal), Fiji Bitter Marist 7s Koro Sun Resort best and fairest player — $200 (complimentary accommodation for two plus trophy and medal), the 41st Fiji Bitter Marist 7s best Marist official — $150 (plus trophy and medal), and the 41st Fiji Bitter Marist 7s best volunteer — man — $150 (plus trophy and medal), 41st Fiji Bitter Marist 7s best volunteer — woman —$150 (plus trophy and medal), the 41st Fiji Bitter Marist 7s best team men’s manager — new category — $150 (plus trophy and medal), the 41st Fiji Bitter Marist 7s best team woman manager — new category $150 (plus trophy and medal).
Having to gain free entry into day two for 15 players and three officials along with being able to compete again in day two, is by far another great advantage for players and officials. As this doesn’t happen in many other organised local tournaments, we try to promote this as much as we can.
More game time is guaranteed at the 41st Fiji Bitter Marist 7s. Being looked after by professional medical services at the ground is by far another great distinct advantage as well apart from the proper ice bath facilities provided for by the tournament which many rugby players experience for the first time.
All teams that lose out on pool play in the main Cup competition and do not qualify for eliminations are guaranteed $150 as prizemoney for just competing in the tournament and get to play again on day two as a bonus match.
The Fiji Bitter Marist 7s is by far the biggest sporting event to get recognised as many stars of past and current were born at the Fiji Bitter Marist 7s. Jerry Tuwai, a household name now, was recognised as the new find of the tournament back then by Ben Ryan and the rest is now history.
By far the most important aspect of participating at this world-class event is providing a competitive platform where new and raw talent from grassroots rugby get exposed for the benefit and development of Fiji Rugby at grassroots level.
Managers and coaches are exposed to a professional international event where demands for them to perform their roles are high and if we continue to develop these areas Fiji Rugby is the winner in the end as sports administration is by far and important facet of structured development for any sports.
Think about it, 41 years ago when the first tournament was held which set the benchmark of how 7s tournament was to be run and funded and provided for, from just five cartons of beer to $41,000 forty-one years later, this tremendous unwavering steadfast support from Mike Spencer, Joe Rodan and his team at Paradise Beverages is by far the greatest impetus and fuel to developing 7s in the country. This is unprecedented in terms of national development of grassroots rugby.
Forty-one years in a row to the generous commitment of our major sponsors “Paradise Beverages Fiji Bitter and then to “Gold in Rio in 2016” — the future of Fiji Bitter Marist 7s can only be seen as brighter, bigger and better for grassroots development — so for just $600 you are probably receiving a lifetime opportunity to play in a structured international organised event and contributing to Fiji’s development at grassroots rugby which everyone can be surely be proud of.
This tournament is surely proudly Fijian made and owned with benefits reaching international acclaim. Everyone walks away as a winner only at the Fiji Bitter Marist 7s which we have set as a precedent.
Meanwhile, Tikaram, has also assured that this year will see that the total cash money shared by all teams and individual prizes will exceed $41,000.
