When everyone else was preparing for the 2016 festive season, one team was preparing for the 41st Fiji Bitter Marist 7s.
The Raiwasa rugby 7s team from Taveuni ever since participating in its first tournament at Wairiki last year, set out a plan — to play in the country’s longest and largest local sevens tournament.
General manager of Raiwasa Grand Villa, Richie Singh said some of his workers wanted to play in the Wairiki tournament and he saw their talent so he assisted them.
“I saw their talent and there was no development so I stepped in to try and help them achieve their goal.”
“Every rugby players want to play for the national team, so for my players while that is their goal, they need our support and I will support them.”
He said ever since then, the team had been training and preparing for the Marist 7s.
He said the players out of their own free will had gone on a special diet and taboo.
“All I want is to change their lifestyle from excessive smoking and kava consumption, I am glad today, the players, since Christmas have abstained themselves from this as they look forward to prepare for this year’s Marist 7s tournament.”
Singh said most of the players in the team were farmers from Wairiki, Tavuki and Lovonivonu, while the remainder of the team is made up of his employees of Raiwasa Grand Villa and in addition to another a teacher.
Dubbed as the mecca of sevens in the country, Singh added he had high expectations for his team when they made the trip to the Capital City.
“This is our first major tournament outside Vanua Levu and I can say we have prepared really well.
“The boys are very fit as they have been training for a very long time and we are gunning for a win.”
The Fiji Bitter Marist 7s will be held from March 24-25 at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.
