Richard Walker has been appointed as the new head coach of the Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s team, as announced by the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU). This development follows the end of Saiasi Fuli’s term as head coach in December.
Walker, who has over 15 years of coaching experience, previously led the USA Women’s 7s team. His extensive background includes coaching roles with the USA Rugby Women’s 7s, Japan Women’s 7s, and the Auckland Storm. Notably, he has an impressive record, having guided the Seattle Seawolves to a Major League Rugby Championship and took the USA Women’s 7s to significant achievements during the Rio Olympic Games and the 7s World Cup in San Francisco, where the team exceeded expectations.
The FRU commended Walker for his ability to instill high-performance standards and drive sustainable success within elite rugby programs, underscoring his crucial role in shaping the future of the Fijiana 7s team. They also acknowledged the efforts of interim head coach Timoci Volavola and emphasized the teamwork that will persist as the squad prepares for upcoming international competitions, which include the HSBC SVNS Series and the pathway to Olympic qualification.
This new phase for the Fijiana 7s team comes at a pivotal moment for women’s rugby in Fiji, presenting an invaluable opportunity to bolster their competitive stance on a global level. There is growing optimism within the Fijian rugby community, with hopes that Walker’s leadership will harness both the existing talent and new strategies to pave the way for future successes.
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