No rugby players currently serving a criminal sentence will be allowed to compete at the McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast 7s tournament next year.
This was announced by Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) co-ordinator, Shamima Ali, after signing a memorandum of understanding as official partners with the McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast 7s committee yesterday.
“This is the second time around that we have made partners for the tournament, and I thank McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast 7s for approaching us to join you again this year.
“Our job is working to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls and children.
“So, this is a good avenue because rugby is loved by everyone in this country and I think this is a great starting point,” she said.
Ali said FWCC had been advocating for convicted players still serving their sentence not to take part in sports competitions for the past three years.
“We have been advocating for this since former national 7s rep, Amenoni Nasilasila’s case almost three years ago.
“We do want convicted players taking part because people look up to rugby players and we don’t want them having felons as role models.”
Meanwhile, McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast 7s founding chairman Jay White said there would be about 40 teams competing in the tournament that would be held in January next year.
“We have 16 men’s and youth’s teams with eight women’s teams,” he said.
“We also have sent invites to overseas teams wanting to compete, so we will announce in the next few weeks.”
White said the MOU of convicted players not being allowed to play was not directed to any specific player but was a general statement instead.
“It’s a generalised statement, which is any person serving a custodial sentence cannot be playing the tournament.
“So it’s a very general statement, but it excludes anyone serving prison time.”
