Vodafone Fiji has stepped in as the telecommunications partner for the 50th Fiji Bitter Marist Sevens, strengthening corporate support for what organisers describe as one of the country’s most enduring grassroots rugby competitions. The announcement, made ahead of the tournament’s three-day programme, is the latest development in the build-up to the Marist club’s golden jubilee celebrations.
Sponsorship Manager Adriu Vakarau said the milestone edition is “a special moment not only for the organisers but also for sponsors who have supported its growth over the years,” underscoring the importance of long-term backing from businesses such as Vodafone. Vakarau paid tribute to the Marist Rugby Club’s administrators, past and present, and to the array of local and overseas teams whose participation has helped lift the tournament’s profile across Fiji and the Pacific.
As part of the partnership, Vodafone will run a series of fan engagement promotions across the three days. Daily prize giveaways will see spectators entered into draws to win items including recharge cards and 4G mobile phones, while Vodafone customers attending the event can access exclusive offers at the venue — special recharge bonuses and discounted devices will be available throughout the competition.
Organisers say the commercial support comes at a key moment for the tournament, which has expanded from a domestic showcase to include international teams and sides from rural districts, playing a role in talent identification and community development. Vakarau linked that evolution to the tournament’s wider significance: beyond trophies, the Marist 7s has become a platform for nurturing players and connecting remote clubs with national pathways.
The Vodafone activation aims not only to reward fans but to improve the event experience on site, complementing the live broadcast planned by FBC Sports. The Marist 7s gets under way on Thursday and will be carried live, allowing supporters across Fiji to follow the three days of sevens action as the club marks five decades of competition.
Vodafone said it was proud to support the golden jubilee edition and to continue its involvement in grassroots rugby — a commitment mirrored by other corporate partners in regional tournaments this season. With community engagement activities, prize draws and exclusive customer deals added to the on-field spectacle, organisers expect the jubilee event to be a celebration of both the game’s past and its grassroots future.
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