Despite the Fiji Airways Men's National 7s side not securing more tournament victories on the HSBC SVNS World Series, the team remains resolute in their commitment to excellence and their goal of clinching the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
This was highlighted by the Fiji Rugby Football Union Trust Board after the completion of the leg of the 2023/2024 HSBC SVNS World Series in Los Angeles .
The Board says both the Fiji Airways Men's and Women's 7s teams are determined to continue their pursuit of excellence as they prepare for the Olympic Games in France.
They say the Board stands by the teams and will fully support them with resources needed for the teams’ mission of standing on this year’s Olympic Games podium to receive medals.
The Board says the Men's team acknowledges the disappointment felt by fans, players, and coaches alike after another tournament loss at the Los Angeles 7s.
They say after a thorough review process following the first two legs of the series, certain areas of the program were identified for enhancement.
They add, to this end, they are pleased to announce the recruitment of a Strength and Conditioning consultant to oversee the delivery of fitness and strength programs for both the Men's and Women's teams.
The Board says the consultant will play a crucial role in ensuring the players reach their peak physical condition and are well-prepared for competition at the highest level and the consultant joined the team prior to the Vancouver tournament.
They further say efforts are underway to enhance the coaching team while maintaining the strong team culture that has been established.
The Board says they are exploring options that involve Fijian coaches and align with our vision for success.
The Board says for the Women's 7s side, while their current standing in the overall women's points table may be disappointing, the effort and commitment of the players, coaches, and staff cannot be faulted.
They say they recognize that our current ranking is influenced by the quality of competition, the depth of player pools in other countries, and the investment in women's rugby programs, particularly those countries that have seen success at the Olympic level.
The Board adds to improve performance, they are actively working to increase the player pool and implement robust systems for tracking and monitoring player performance.
They say these efforts will ensure that they have a strong foundation for future success in women's rugby.
They add as part of the normal procedure, both programs will be reviewed in detail following the conclusion of the Vancouver/LA leg of the series, and any opportunities for improvement will be identified and implemented.
They have also confirmed that they have arranged for their reports to be ready and for the Coaches and Team officials to immediately meet with the Trustees on their return this Thursday.
The Board is calling for the support of fans and stakeholders, as they are confident that the teams will rise to the occasion and showcase the true spirit of Fijian rugby on the world stage.
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