Marist Rugby Club received a timely sponsorship of $55,000 from Paradise Beverages in support of the 44th Fiji Bitter Marist 7s that will be held in March.
Paradise Beverages General Manager Sales and Marketing, Joe Rodan Snr says their main aim in sponsoring this event for the past 44 years is to develop grassroots rugby in Fiji.
Rodan says this has been very effective as most of the players that have gone through this tournament have reached the national team or have contracts in overseas clubs team.
He says sponsoring rugby at the grassroots level also helps youths in combating non-communicable diseases which is one of the major killers in the Pacific.
He adds being active is one way of combating NCD’s and he hopes that this will enable more youth teams to participate at this year’s tournament.
Meanwhile, the President Marist Rugby Club, Lawrence Tikaram thanked the officials of Paradise Beverages for their tremendous support to the tournament for the past 44 years.
Tikaram says this year’s tournament will have a reshaped format where 48 men’s team will compete over the three days tournament.
He has assured all teams who will be participating that they will still play the normal four matches in the pools and all teams will be rewarded.
48 men’s teams, 12 youth teams and 8 women’s teams will be participating in this year’s Marist 7s.
The 44th Fiji Bitter Marist 7s will be held from the 19th to the 21st of March.
