KASABIAS Sinukakala Amazon women’s team will make their first appearance in the senior division when they compete at the Fiji Bitter Labasa 7s, which kicks off on Thursday and concludes on Saturday at Subrail Park.
Head coach Tomasi Katonivualiku said this marks a major step for the side, which has previously competed in the Fiji Sports Council Under-20 7s tournaments with strong performances, including reaching finals.
“This is the first year our team playing in the senior division, we have been participating in the Fiji Sports Council U20 7s tournaments and have been doing well playing in the finals,” Katonivualiku said.
The tournament will also be the team’s first trip to the North, adding to the excitement among the players.
“First time for us to travel to the North and to play at Subrail Park the girls are excited, we were just playing around Viti Levu last year in Suva and in the West,” he said.
Katonivualiku said the squad is very young but preparations have gone well, with three weeks of training leading into the tournament.
“This is a very young team preparation has been going on well, we have been training for the past three weeks,” he said.
He added that the team has been working on areas that need improvement from their last outing.
“We have to improve on our weaknesses from the past tournament,” he said.
Beyond results, the coach highlighted the positive impact rugby has on the players’ lives and families.
“Last year most of the prize money we won, we contribute it equally to all our team members we share it and the girls take it back to their families and try to help their families,” Katonivualiku said.
“It is a good thing to engage them into sports so that they stay away from drugs.”
Originally from Dreketi, Katonivualiku also called on supporters in the North to come out and back the team.
“I’m from Dreketi and I’m going to my home and I’m calling on all supporters in the North to come out in numbers and support us,” he said.
Meanwhile, EZERS women will return to defend their title, with a strong field confirmed for the women’s competition.
Teams competing include Sinukakala, EZERS, Vuna Sisters, Seahawks, Tagimoucia Ranadi, Lilian Amazons, Loloma Heights and Kadavu Stallions.
