Page 22 - Fiji Traveller 2023 Issue 5

P. 22

The inaugural Fiji Bitter Rugby 7s Series

Fiji rugby lovers are in for an electrifying Rugby 7s extravaganza over Spencer, General Manager of Paradise Beverages.
the next few months as Paradise Beverages kicks off the first-ever Fiji “At Paradise Beverages, we aim to make a positive difference in
Bitter Rugby 7s Series. our communities. Our sponsorship efforts are a tangible expression
For 47 years, Paradise Beverages has supported grassroots rugby of our commitment to nurturing sustainability and supporting these
across Fiji. communities.”
Now that commitment has been taken to another level, with the The Fiji Bitter 7s Series is about more than just rugby; it’s about
uniting of 12 stand-alone tournaments under the Fiji Bitter banner. empowering local clubs, providing players with the chance to showcase
“Sponsorships have always been very important to us at Paradise their skills at the highest level, and boosting the economies of the
Beverages—they are one way, in which we can give back to the local towns and villages that host these tournaments. The series marks an
communities, that have so loyally supported our brands. This is exciting evolution of the format, uniting the 12 tournaments to create a
particularly true for our most famous brand, Fiji Bitter,” says Mike sensational six-month extravaganza of sevens rugby.
And as the nation welcomes home
the Flying Fijians from their sterling
performance at the Rugby World
Cup in France, Mr Spencer notes
that over its 47 years of sponsorship,
“many, many, rugby players, who
have played in Fiji Bitter sponsored
tournaments, go on to represent Fiji
in our national 7s team, the Fijian
Drua and the Flying Fijians. This,
of course, makes us very proud at
Paradise Beverages, not only to see
that we have played a small part in
the development of these players,
but to witness them reach their full
potential.
“We’re on a mission to celebrate
the incredible talent of local players
and teams, making sure they get
the recognition they’ve earned,”
enthuses Mr Spencer. “Our ultimate
objective is to raise the bar for
every tournament, following the
blueprint we’ve crafted to guarantee
that each event is nothing short of
exhilarating.”
The very first tournament
sponsored by Fiji Bitter was the now-
iconic Marist 7s, back in 1976. Since
then, it has supported the Fiji Bitter
Nawaka 7s, the Fiji Bitter Savusavu
7s, and the Fiji Bitter Wairiki 7s,
among others.
The new Fiji Bitter 7s Series
includes a thrilling line-up of
tournaments, from Kadavu to across
Viti Levu, Vanua Levu to Ovalau, and
Taveuni to the season’s culmination
at the historic Marist 7s in March
2024.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the
best two teams in the Series Cup,
with $10,000 for first place, followed
by $5000 for second, and $3000 for
third place.
Two teams from the grassroots
‘Discovery Shield’ category will also
win great cash prizes of between
$1000 and $2000.