Mcdonald’s Backs Fiji Coral Coast 7s
McDonald’s Fiji has committed a three-year sponsorship deal with the Fiji Coral Coast Sevens tournament.
The McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens will return in January 2023, after a two-year absence. This time it will include a strong line-up, renewed financial support, elevation into the Fun Flavour Super Sevens Series with Kenyan 7s legend 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗷𝗲𝗿𝗮 as the tournament’s ambassador.
The company handed over a $75,000 during the press conference at the McDonald’s Fiji café in Nadi yesterday.
McDonald’s Fiji Group financial controller Nalin Goonesekera, said the company is committed to Fiji rugby as the three-day tournament will be played from January 12-14.
“McDonald’s is really happy to be working with them for the second time, which was a huge success,” he said.
“We would like to continue to support the sport in Fiji, so rugby is one of the main sports in Fiji. So we would like to help rugby as a three-year commitment.”
Goonesekera added as part of the tournament’s family friendly vision, the event would field an equal number of men’s and women’s teams. The prize money to the winning teams will be similar as well.
“Fiji Rugby unites the family of people who make up our beloved country. Our company is committed to families and this tournament is our way of ensuring our Fiji rugby talent remains supported,” he said.
Tournament director Jay Whyte said they are grateful to work with McDonald’s Fiji and the Fiji Rugby Union to elevate the tournament to another level.
“We are going to have a record prize-money, these sorts of events only come to life through the valuable support of sponsors,” he said.
Tourism Fiji chief executive Brent Hill said they appreciate the support of all the organisations that are involved.
“We see supporting things like this and building events being a really important part of our tourism going forward,” he said.
Fiji Airways 7s head coach Ben Gollings said that Fiji would be fielding an Under-20 teams. “A big part of what we want to do is start to grow our base and develop a wider squad,” he said.
“I have seen how the tournament has grown from strength to strength and in the 10 years that I have been a part of it.
“It’s an integral part of the development of rugby but also sevens for us as a team and as a sport in the country.”
Top tier team qualify
The top eight teams from the 2021-2022 Fun Flavor Super Sevens Series have automatic qualified for the event.
Now a part of the Fiji Rugby Union’s Fun Flavour Super Sevens Series circuit, 10 top tier overseas teams have confirmed their participation. These are teams from New Zealand, Ireland, United Kingdom, China, Japan and Australia.
There has been interest from the United States, Ireland, Germany, Great Britain. In the women’s side, they’ve got two teams from Australia, New Zealand, and China.
The other international teams include the Australian and Japan Youth sides.
Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj
