The Fiji Bitter Mataso 7s tournament is set to introduce an innovative competition format that will feature a clash between top teams from across the nation and emerging grassroots teams in the third leg of the Fiji Bitter 7s series. James Vunituraga, the tournament director, unveiled this fresh approach during the tournament’s launch held at the Paradise Beverages Fiji Limited headquarters in Suva earlier this week.
The new structure will see teams categorized into two groups: an elite category for the top-performing teams and a grassroots category for newer or developing teams. Each category will be further divided into four pools, with the winners advancing to the elimination rounds, ultimately leading to a showdown between the successful teams from both categories in the later stages of the tournament.
Vunituraga emphasized that this initiative aims to provide grassroots teams with a valuable opportunity to compete at higher levels. He stated, “It’s giving an opportunity for the grassroots level to play against each other and come out on top to meet the elite teams. It’s not only for the cup, but also for the bowl and the shield finals.”
Alfaio Tekavei, a sponsorship and events specialist for Fiji Bitter, echoed these sentiments, expressing excitement about the new format and its potential to benefit grassroots teams significantly.
The Mataso 7s tournament will take place from November 15 to 17 at Churchill Park in Lautoka, promising an engaging experience for fans and players alike.
This new format not only encourages healthy competition but also fosters talent at the grassroots level, paving the way for the future of rugby in Fiji. With seasoned teams competing alongside up-and-coming players, the tournament offers a platform for stars of tomorrow to shine and showcase their skills. As the event approaches, anticipation builds for what promises to be an exhilarating weekend of rugby.
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