The Belovula Under-21 players are in to learn at the 45th Fiji Bitter Marist 7s tournament.

Team manager Ratu Epeli Tuinalaba accompanied his young players from Toga, Naqalimare in Navosa to their first ever Marist 7s tournament.

Tuinalaba told SUNsports the team had to struggle to make it to Suva.

“We’ve been preparing for a while now and it was not easy,” he said.

“At training it’s all about fighting for a spot and they are the best we have in Toga.

“Up in the hills, getting the right training facility is a challenge that we continue to face every day.

“But their love and passion for rugby brought us here because they had to fundraise to make it here.

“We are happy to be here and our main mission is to expose the players and experience what’s like playing at the Marist 7s.

“I constantly reminded the boys we are here to gain exposure.

“We thank our sponsor, a young man from the village who lives overseas, for paying our entry fee and everything for the team.”

He added that some of his players played in 7s tournaments before.

“We have about four of our players that played for the Nadroga U19 team in last year’s Skipper Cup Premiership,” he said.

“The experience playing in top level rugby assisted our boys.

“It’s good to see our boys come out here and give the big teams a run for their money.”