THE Pasifika Rugby 7s Promotions Incorporated 2012/2013 Rugby 7s Fiji Series was launched in Nadi yesterday with the organisers eyeing to unearth hidden talent from different areas around the country.
The events will be held in association with the Vancouver International Rugby Sevens.
A prize purse of $120,000 will be on offer in the four tournaments with two more events to be confirmed later.
The circuit is scheduled to kick-off in Savusavu with the Cakaudrove, Bua, Macuata (CBM) Vancouver 7s at Ganilau Park in Savusavu from November 24-26.
Pasifika Rugby 7s Promotions chairman Roko Netani Gucake said the main reason for taking the tournaments to different venues was to unearth hidden sevens talent.
“The likes of soccer’s Ivor Evans, William Ryder and Rupeni Caucau are from Vanua Levu so why can’t we give back to our rural communities like CBM,” Gucake said.
“We launched a similar circuit in Tonga because there was nothing at all there. So the Tongans in Canada requested that I approach the Tongan authorities to bring down what we have back in Vancouver. This was received overwhelmingly by the leaders there.
“So now Tonga will participate in the CBM Vancouver 7s in November. They are coming in to support us.
“There could be teams from Fiji going to Tonga. Those are some of our objectives in the long run.
“The prizemoney will be $30,000 per tournament. The $120,000 is for the CBM Vancouver 7s, Waikoula Vancouver 7s, Tiqavia Northland Vancouver 7s and Jetset Nadi Vancouver 7s.
“For the Tebara Vancouver 7s and Babasiga Vancouver 7s things are still in the pipeline. We will try and get at least 80 per cent of the local clubs to participate from the areas that the tournament is played in.”
Apart from the 7s tournaments, the organisers will also award scholarships to students in the rural areas.
Funding for the Rugby 7s Fiji Series and the scholarships will come from Canada.
Tournaments: November 24-26 CBM Vancouver 7s (Ganilau Park, Savusavu); December 6-8 Waikoula Vancouver 7s (Garvey Park, Tavua); February 15-16 Tiqavia Northland Vancouver 7s (Gatward Park, Korovou); March 29-30 Tebara Vancouver 7s (Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori); May 3-4 Babasiga Vancouver 7s (Subrail Park, Labasa); May 10-11 Jetset Nadi Vancouver 7s (Prince Charles Park, Nadi).