For the first time eight women rugby sevens teams will be part of the Christian Mission Fellowship International (CMFI) Macuata region sevens tournament.

The three-day tournament is to be staged in Subrail Park, Labasa starting on October 19 and the announcement was made during a launch by CMFI pastors in Labasa on Tuesday.

CMFI tournament spokesperson Simione Gusuivalu said the men’s rugby 7s competition would be conducted in tier one and tier two categories.

“We’ve decided to have women’s rugby sevens competition along with the under-19 and men’s as well,” Gusuivalu said.

“We’re expecting 80 teams that will feature former and present national sevens players from around the country. The pool draws are yet to be done as registration will close on October 13.”

He indicated the Cup winner of the tier one competition will walk away with $10,000 while the winner of the tier two battle will get $3000.

“This is the third year in a row for us to organise the tournament.

“The purpose of organising this tournament is to raise funds for our missionaries in Fiji and abroad. Currently, the church is financially supporting this tournament since we don’t have a sponsor.”