The Fiji Bitter Sevens Series is set to move south this season, with Kadavu as the host in October. This series aims to create an exciting platform for grassroots players across the islands.
The Kadavu Rugby Union will oversee the first tournament, which marks a shift from the previous Namalata format to the newly branded Tiliva 7s tournament. Under the Fiji Bitter Series umbrella, the event will be known as the Kadavu 7s, kicking off the season from October 3-5. The matches will take place at the Namalata Central School ground, maintaining the familiar venue under the Tiliva 7s banner.
Alfaio Tekavei, a sponsorship and events specialist at Paradise Beverages, noted, “Tiliva 7s have been operating independently for several years, even before COVID, and this is their first sponsorship by Fiji Bitter. We are excited to welcome them into the series. Since Tiliva is managed by the Kadavu Rugby Union, we believe this collaboration will benefit rugby as a whole in Kadavu.”
The series was officially launched on Tuesday at Paradise Beverages in Walu Bay. General Manager Mike Spencer mentioned, “This year, we will host 12 tournaments as part of the Fiji Bitter 7s Series. There will be six legs, each consisting of two tournaments, with the Series running over a six-month period from October to March. Our investment for this year exceeds $300,000.”
The 12 tournaments will culminate in the Fiji Bitter Marist 7s in March next year at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Upcoming tournament dates are as follows:
Kadavu 7S: October 3-5; Malake 7s: October 10-12; Mataso 7s: November 15-16; Yalovata 7s: November 21-23; Yasawa 7s: December 6-7; Wairiki 7s: December 11-14; Labasa 7s: January 9-11; Savusavu 7s: January 16-18; Nahehevia 7s: February 13-15; Tabadamu 7s: February 20-22; Nawaka 7s: March 20-22; Marist 7s: March 27-29.