The Island Boys from Mali Island make their debut in the Fiji Bitter Marist 7s today, arriving on Viti Levu after fundraising and long travels to take part in one of the country’s most-watched sevens tournaments. The team, captained by Jone Kolivuso, says the chance to compete on a bigger stage is the reward for months of sacrifice and hard work off the field.
Kolivuso told supporters the side, drawn entirely from Mali Island off the northern coast of Vanua Levu, had to raise funds through cutting sugar cane and other casual work to cover travel and tournament costs. The squad crossed from Vanua Levu to Viti Levu by boat and bus, a journey that underlined the logistical hurdles small island teams face when entering mainland competitions.
“This is also the first time the Island Boys team from Mali will compete in the Marist 7s and we are so excited for it,” Kolivuso said, adding that the team will go into the tournament intent on winning and, importantly, gaining exposure. He stressed the event’s value in showcasing talent to wider audiences and potential selectors.
Kolivuso issued a spirited call to fellow Mali islanders to come out and support the team. “We are calling on all our supporters and those who hail from Mali to come out in numbers and support us in the tournament,” he said, highlighting how community backing would boost the players’ morale as they face more established sides.
The Fiji Bitter Marist 7s gets under way today with the under-21 and women’s divisions scheduled to play, offering a platform for grassroots players to be seen. For the Island Boys, participation marks not only a first step into a larger competitive arena but also a potential pathway for individual players seeking greater opportunities in sevens and rugby league circuits.
Their entry reflects a broader trend of smaller communities striving to access national competitions despite limited resources. The Island Boys’ presence in the Marist 7s will test how far grassroots determination can take a side against teams with more regular exposure to high-level sevens play, and could inspire other remote communities to pursue similar ambitions.
Matches begin today across the tournament fixtures, where the Island Boys will have their first chance to measure themselves against rival teams and to turn the hard work of their fundraising and travels into on-field progress and recognition.
Leave a comment