The Sinukakala Amazon women’s rugby team is set to make their senior division debut at the Fiji Bitter Labasa 7s tournament, taking place from Thursday to Saturday at Subrail Park. This significant milestone follows the team’s successful participation in the Fiji Sports Council Under-20 7s tournaments, where they have consistently performed well, including securing places in the finals.
Head coach Tomasi Katonivualiku expressed the team’s excitement as they prepare for their first competition in the senior ranks. He emphasized that this marks a new chapter for the team, which now has the opportunity to showcase their skills at a higher level. “This is the first year our team is playing in the senior division. We have been participating in the Fiji Sports Council U20 7s tournaments and have been doing well playing in the finals,” stated Katonivualiku.
The tournament will also be a first for the team in terms of location, as they travel to the North, a detail that adds to the players’ enthusiasm. “We are excited to travel to the North and play at Subrail Park; last year, we were competing only within Viti Levu in Suva and the West,” he noted.
Katonivualiku highlighted that despite the squad being young, they have undergone thorough preparations over the past three weeks. He also made it clear that the coaching staff is focused on addressing previous weaknesses to maximize their chances of success in the upcoming matches.
Moreover, the coach praised the impact of rugby on their lives, noting that the prize money earned in the past has been shared among team members, contributing positively to their families. He encouraged continued engagement in sports as a means of promoting healthy lifestyles and steering the youth away from negative influences, such as drug use.
As a native of Dreketi, Katonivualiku has extended an invitation to local supporters to come out in strong numbers and back their team during the tournament.
In addition to the Sinukakala Amazon team, the EZERS women will be returning to defend their title, setting the stage for a competitive women’s tournament featuring teams such as Vuna Sisters, Seahawks, Tagimoucia Ranadi, Lilian Amazons, Loloma Heights, and Kadavu Stallions. The anticipation for this event is high, as teams prepare to deliver exciting performances in the spirit of rugby.