The 2023 McDonald’s Fiji’s Coral Coast 7s not only has overseas teams taking part in but there’s international flavour in terms of match officials as well.
Marquise Goodwin is one of the referees brought in from overseas to help out in officiating at the tournament.
The 36-year-old is based out of Los Angeles, California in the United States of America. Goodwin comes in with a lot of experience and is one of the top referees at the tournament.
This is his first time in Fiji and he has been enjoying it so far.
“Words can’t explain how lovely it is being here. The people have been great and of course when we talk about 7s rugby, Fiji has to be the place,” Goodwin said.
He recently officiated at the Papeete International Rugby 7s in Tahiti last October and has also been part of the Major League Rugby officiating panel since 2019 in the USA. When asked if he’d wanted to return to Fiji for future tournaments he said, “sign me right away”.
Goodwin also assists the USA development teams during their scrimmage sessions back home.
He played for the University of California Santa Barbara from 2004-2008.
