The Fiji Bitter Tabadamu 7s will feature two of their teams.

The tournament is scheduled to be held on March 12-13 at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori. And head coach, Bill Turagavou, hopes that they will defend their title.

“We have our team one and team two, which will be a mixture of players,” he said.

“We are preparing physically now.

“We are looking to defend the tournament but majority of the players that were here for the last three years have gone overseas for contracts.

“A couple of them will be coming out of quarantine soon.”

These overseas and former Tabadamu players include Luke Lutunavanua, Josevani Drava and Glen Cakautini.

Fiji Bitter is sponsoring the Tabadamu 7s for the first time this year.

Paradise Beverages General Manager of Sales & Corporate Affairs Joe Rodan said: “We care for the people out there; we are going out to 14 provinces, and make sure that everybody enjoys 7s.

“We at Fiji Bitter is a company that helps develop sevens.

“We have done that for 45 years and we will continue to do it.”

And Paradise Beverages general manager, Michael Spencer added: “This year we are sponsoring 14 Fiji Bitter sevens. This is a way of giving back to Fiji, sharing our success.

“I have seen Tabadamu play quite a lot, they are one of the favourite sides.

“We are immensely proud to link with your club and to sponsor this first tournament.

“Let us hope it goes like the Marist sevens, which has been around for 15 years or more.

“It is a pleasure to involved and support Fiji’s grassroots rugby,” Spencer said.

Registration

Registration fee for men’s is $500 and Cup Winner walks away with $6,000, Runner-up $3,000. Cash prizes for Losing Semi-Finalists, Plate and Bowl Finalists. The first 32 teams to pay in full will be accepted.

The Under-18-20 registration fees is $200, and winner takes home $600 while runner-up receives $300.

First 8 teams to pay in full will be accommodated. Accepted forms of IDs include: Voters Passport, FSSRU, Driver’s License, Skipper / Vanua or Joint Card with Original B/C.

The women’s competition will feature only on March 13. Registration fee is $140, and winner takes $300 while runner-up receives $150. First 4 teams to pay in full will be accepted.

Registration fees can be paid to: HFC Bank Account Name: Tabadamu Rugby, Account Number: 14433s40.

Registration closes on March 7. Contact: 9235678 / 2751892 / 9079604

Meanwhile, Tabadamu will also be playing at the Mobil Uprising 7s this weekend at the Uprising Sports Centre, Pacific Harbour.

They are drawn in the same pool with Uluinakau, Fire and Gau Kacau Knights.

Uprising 7s

Coach Turagavou said: “For our preparations for the Uprising 7s, now, nothing has changed.

“There is couple of injuries as there was a high intensity game during the Super 7s Series.

“Looking at our pool, we can say it is a tough pool, Uluinakau there, Gau there and they are not easy.

“We are preparing each game this week, like into fitness wise we are ready.

“Come the game time, it will depend on the chances of scoring tries.”

The side will miss the service of Iosefo Masi , who will join the national squad, but Turagavou indicated they have other players to fit in.

“There would be have put up their hands to pick up the jersey and play as hard as they can,” he added.

The Tabadamu rugby club was founded by former national sevens rep, Setefano Cakaunivalu in 2013.

Feedback:  sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj