THIRTY years on and still standing
From a humble beginning 30 years ago the Fiji Bitter Nawaka 7s has stamped its mark as one of the premier 7s event in the country.
Other prominent 7s event that used to compete against Nawaka 7s competition in the 80s and 90s have come and gone, but the Nawaka 7s continues to grow bigger and better each year since its inception in 1987.
The tournament itself has groomed some of the finest rugby players from Nawaka Village alone such as Manasa Qoro, Savenaca Aria, Esala Labalaba, Apisai Nagata, the late Sainivalai Laulau, Lalai Driu, Aminiasi Nava, Apisai Naevo and Semis Naevo to name a few.
This apart the many players from other parts of the country identified at this tournament each year for the past 30 years.
Nawaka Rugby Club president Jioji Konisi said the success of the event was attributed to the continuing support of their main sponsor Fiji Bitter.
He also attributed the success of the event to their forefathers and part of Nawaka 7s organisers. He said celebrating the 30 years of existence was a proud moment for the villagers as a whole.
“It’s a milestone for us and we are very excited an humbled to be still standing here 30 years on,” said Konisi.
“Being a village-based entity our challenges are unique and to continuously stage this tournament year after year raises a lot of questions as to how we are doing it.
“That is why we have invited the media to experience it first-hand why we have been continuously putting this tournament year after year.
“Simply it shows the resilience of our people, the leadership and structures that our forefathers and past presidents have put in place.
“And for us coming in this year the new bunch of executives we can only do so much with the vision of our forefathers and past leaders that have put this structure in place.”
Konisi said their sponsors had played a significant role in the success of the tournament.
The sponsorship not only stopped on the rugby paddock —— it has contributed immensely in the development of the village, church and school.
“Having the 30th tournament this year is really a celebration for us.”
“We have many people to thank especially our sponsors Fiji Bitter, they have been there for us all throughout 30 years and that is a long time partnership.
“It is a unique tournament with traditionalism meeting commercialism which we are really proud with and so humbled by it.
“That is why we are so grateful, the sponsorship and the income from this tournament not only stops on the ground as it touches the very fabric of our community. It goes to the churches, our very homes, schools for our kids and that is why it is so important for us.
“It’s a pride of our village and we always looked forward to this time of the year. As soon as we finished off this year’s event we start planning for next year. We are really grateful and we can’t stress that enough and the impact it has for the village.”
Konisi said the tournament had inspired most young boys and men in the village to take up the sport —— some of them went on to become households in Fiji and international rugby.
“The tournament has also produced some of the finest 7s players even most of our own village boys have went on and did marvellous things on the world stage —— that is what Nawaka 7s has done.
“It provides a platform for ordinary village boys not only in Nawaka, but villagers around Nadi and villagers around Fiji, right in the interior and in outer islands who have come and played at this tournament.
“The likes of the Naevo brothers, Ilai Derenalagi and others and we acknowledged the contribution of Nawaka 7s that has done to their families and taking them to places.”
Konisi said the tournament was committed to grassroots rugby development which was the reason they had included an under-19 competition this year.
Apart from the under-19 event, he said they had received overwhelming responses from participating teams.
“For the under-19 tournament that is interesting. Over the years we have always talked about grassroots developments and this year we have gotten right into it and taken action.”
“This is an opportunity for under-19 players to play on the big stage. We are also excited with the remarkable and overwhelming response from teams. With two weeks prior to the tournament we are already putting plans to close registrations.
“We are blessed and grateful. There will be 64 teams for this years tournament, eight U19 and eight oldies teams.
Pacific Beverages sales and marketing manager Jo Rodan said the company was proud to be associated with the Nawaka 7s over the past 30 years.
“It is not only a sponsorship but a partnership,” he said.
Fiji Bitter also presented $35,000 cheques for this year’s event with the main winner to walk away with $15,000 cash.
The two-day tournament kicks off at Prince Charles Park on Friday.
