THE Taveuni Grassroots under-20 team is fired up and ready to take on the best in the youth category of the McDonald’s Coral Coast Fiji Sevens tournament starting tomorrow at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.
Coached by former national sevens speedster Sireli Bobo, the team is confident despite the short preparation time.
“This is only our second week of preparations, but we won’t use that as an excuse when we compete in one of the biggest sevens tournaments in the region,” said Bobo.
“We have prepared thoroughly, just like all the other teams, and our goal is to go out there not merely to make up the numbers, but to win the $10,000 prize money.”
The 2026 Coral Coast Sevens youth category stipulates that only players born in January, 2006 or later are eligible to compete.
This rule means the team has retained only three players from the Fiji Sports Council Grassroots development program, with the remainder recruited at short notice from Ba, Namosi, Ratu Navula, and Tailevu to complete the squad.
The team faces a tough pool in the competition, but head coach Bobo is confident his young side will cause some major upsets.
“We are pooled against the defending champions, Broncos, and our finalist opponents RKS from our Grassroots Sevens competition.
“There will be no easy matches in a prestigious tournament like this,” Bobo explained.
“But as I said before, we are confident in our preparation despite the limited time together. Our aim is not just to participate but to win the youth category.”
