Uprising Fiji Int’l 7s introduces women’s section

December 16, 2011 - 9:12am

In line with the International Rugby Board and International Olympic Committee’s pursuit of gender equality, the 2012 Uprising Fiji International 7s will include a women’s section at the event held in Suva on 20-21 January.

Tahitia Kamea, Uprising Fiji International 7s spokesperson, made the announcement ahead of Friday’s official launch at the Uprising Fiji Beach Resort in Pacific Harbour.

“Having a competitive women’s section is very important to us,” Ms Kamea said. “The Dubai 7s recently held the first-ever official IRB ranking tournament for women as rugby prepares for its re-introduction into the Olympics in 2016.”

“The Pacific region is in urgent need of a strong women’s rugby 7s tournament, and with the talent we have here in Fiji, we believe the Uprising Fiji International 7s will start the ball rolling nicely.”

Ms Kamea added that two sponsors had already come forward in support of women’s rugby, including the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre. “We’ve been fortunate to get these two sponsors in our first year. It means we will be able to present the winning teams with some prizes.”

As with the men’s section, quality rather than quantity is the priority with the women’s segment.

“The standard of women’s rugby in Fiji has improved tremendously over the past few years, culminating in the wonderful gold medal winning performance by the Fijiana 7s at the Pacific Games in September.”

“We hope the Uprising Fiji International 7s gives women’s rugby in Fiji a platform to launch their bid to qualify for the 2013 Women’s Rugby World Cup 7s in Russia, and of course the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in 2016.”

According to the IRB, the 2013 Russian tournament will feature the best men's and women's sides in the world, while Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov noted earlier that “Russians are taking to rugby like our bears to honey.”

“The secret is out, there is a revolution taking place in Russian rugby – a sport that suits the Russian character,” Mr Zhukov said.

The Uprising Fiji International 7s kicks off the Centenary Year for Fiji Rugby, celebrating 100 years of rugby in the capital. Mick O’Connor’s Aussie Thunderbolts and Thierry Janeczek’s French side are the first two overseas teams to confirm they will line up with the best club sides in Fiji.
 
Last January’s inaugural Uprising Fiji International 7s established itself as one of the premier rugby 7s tournaments in the region with international sides coming from New Zealand, France, Samoa, USA and New Caledonia.

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Additional details about the 2012 Uprising Fiji International 7s:

 

  • Held at the TFL National Stadium on 20-21 January 2012 (two weeks prior to the 2012 IRB Wellington 7s).
  • 16 top class rugby sides in four pools of four.
  • High quality women’s section.
  • Kicks off the Centenary Year of Fiji Rugby.
  • Red Rock won the inaugural Uprising Fiji Int’l 7s in January 2011. 

For more information, please contact Tahitia Kamea on 928-5309 or email tahitiakamea@gmail.com.