The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) has ruled that it would be mandatory for all FRU-sanctioned 7s rugby tournaments from next year to be inclusive of a women’s competition.
FRU chief executive officer John O’Connor said the prospect of more local women’s 7s competition in the country looked brighter.
“We are looking at making some vital changes to all FRU-sanctioned 7s tournaments in the country from next year,” he said.
“The women’s 7s competitions will provide the best platform for the Fijiana 7s team at international assignments.
“We plan to have a bigger scope for the women’s 7s competitions locally because of the huge success of the Fijiana 7s team in winning bronze medal at the delayed Tokyo Olympics. It will be a big year for local women’s rugby 7s competitions next season.”
O’Connor said FRU would ensure all local 7s tournaments organisers included a women’s competition to run simultaneously alongside the men’s events.
“We want to make it mandatory that all local 7s tournaments must be inclusive of a women’s competition.
“Failure on the part of the organisers will offer us no choice but to refrain from sanctioning that particular event.
“The important thing is that we want to give an equal opportunity to women playing 7s rugby to showcase their talents and excel in the sport.
“It would allow the coaches to identify their core skill sets and talents to ultimately rope them in the Fijiana outfit.”
