Entries have opened for the Yamacia Sevens, the next instalment of the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens Qualifying Series, on 23 and 24 September.

The winner of the Yamacia Sevens in Draiba, Navosa will join Uluinakau as a direct entry in the Coral Coast Sevens in January.  Uluinakau won the Ra Sevens last month defeating Red Rock 22-0.  Two more Qualifying Series tournaments will be played – the Wardens Sevens in Labasa and the Westfield Dragons Sevens in Nadi.

“Up to 24 teams can compete in Draiba for their chance to play at Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens and a share of the $70,000 prize money,” said Jay Whyte, Founding Chairman of the tournament which began in 2010.  “The new Qualifying Series enables teams from all over Fiji the opportunity to win their way to Sigatoka and take part in Fiji’s premier sevens tournament.” 

Sixteen men’s teams will be invited to the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens which is scheduled for January 14-16 at Lawaqa Park.

“The Series means the four champion clubs in Fiji will compete at the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens, where they join defending champion Police, a select number of sponsor sides and teams who have qualified from partner tournaments from around the Pacific,” continued Mr Whyte.  “Given the limited number of places available, this ‘champion of champions’ is sure to see some of the best sevens players in Fiji.

“Equally, we anticipate a very strong women’s competition playing for the Crest Na Iri Trophy, particularly as the 2016 tournament is only months away from the Rio Olympics.”

To register a team for Yamacia Sevens please contact David Dakuitoga (yamaciarugby@gmail.com).
Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens Qualifying Series
Ra Sevens, won by Uluinakau 22-0
Yamacia Sevens – 23rd and 24th September, Draiba, Navosa
Wardens Sevens - 13th and 14th November, Subrail Park, Labasa
Westfield Dragons Sevens - 27th and 28th November, Prince Charles Park, Nadi

Uluinakau has qualified for the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens 2016 with a resounding 22-0 win over Red Rock at the Ra 7s.

The host club needed extra time to win their semifinal 19-14 over Wadiqi Babas but made no race of the final at the Ra Sports Ground.

Suloa Roko (2), Eliki Radau and substitute Ilime Leiloma scored for Uluinakau in the decider to claim the $2000 first prize and direct entry to the Coral Coast Sevens at Sigatoka on January 14-16.

Captain Esala Savuro thanked his team for working hard during the two-day event.

“We were not conditioned for the weather and the semi final was a hard game,” he said.  “Red Rock are a good team and we hope to meet them again in the Coral Coast Sevens.”

“Having won the Plate last year we are targeting to win the Cup at the Coral Coast Sevens this time!”

Uluinakau trailed Wadiqi 0-14 in the first semifinal however fought back to win in sudden death overtime while Red Rock also came from behind to beat Samurai 12-5 in the last four.

However Uluinakau dominated the final as Radau scored first before two tries to the speedy Roko established a 17-0 halftime lead.  The second half was scrappy as both teams tired before a sizzling break by Leiloma from the base of the scrum sealed the home team’s victory.

The Ra 7s was the first of four qualification events for local clubs to be played over the next two months with the Westfield Barbarians tournament in a fortnight the next opportunity in Fiji.  

The winners of each, along with the champions of the Samoan Independence Sevens, the Serevi Rugbytown Sevens (USA) and the Fitness First Central Coast Sevens (NSW, Australia), will be invited to join reigning champions Police in the 16-team event which has a first prize of $30,000.  Sponsors and other invited teams, including from overseas, will also be at Lawaqa Park in January. 

Meanwhile, sixteen women’s teams are expected to contest the Crest Na Iri Trophy as part of the Coral Coast Sevens.

Remaining Qualifying Series tournaments:
Westfield Dragons, 28-29 August, Prince Charles Park, Nadi
Wardens, 11-12 September, Subrail Park, Labasa
Yamacia, 23-24 September, Draiba, Navosa

The Qualifying Series for the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens tournament kicks off this Friday 14 August at Ra Sports Ground in Rakiraki.

The Ra 7s, hosted by the Uluinakau Club, is part of the four-tournament Qualifying Series to be held over the next two months. 

The winner of each automatically qualifies for one of the coveted spots at the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens on 14-16 January 2016 at Lawaqa Park.

Sixteen teams have been confirmed for the Ra 7s drawn mostly from the Ra, Tavua, Yasawa and Malolo areas.

“We are thrilled to see the number of entries for the Ra 7s,” said Katja Imholz, Competition Manager for the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens.  “Given the interest in the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens, the highly successful Great Eight qualifying tournament has been expanded to a series of four events hosted by the top finishers of last year's event, namely Uluinakau, Yamacia, Westfield Dragons and Wardens.

“With each qualifying tournament accommodating at least 16 teams, over 60 clubs from all corners of Fiji will have the opportunity to win their way to Lawaqa Park and challenge for the $30,000 first prize in January.”

The lineup for the two-day Ra 7s includes former Coral Coast Sevens champion Red Rock, who triumphed in both 2010 and 2012. 

Four pools of four will be followed by playoffs with the draw to be released late Thursday.

Teams in the Ra 7s:
First Landing
Golden River
Kula Young Boys
Nadawa Young Boys
Naisilisili Babas
Nalotu Evening Stars
Namarai Selection
Nasalo Wadigi Babas
Nasolo Young Boys
PWD Bure
Red Rock
Senibiau
Takalana Dolphins Samurai
Uluinakau Babas
Western Suburbs

Qualifying Series tournaments:
Westfield  Dragons, 28-29 August, Prince Charles Park, Nadi
Wardens, 11-12 September, Subrail Park, Labasa
Yamacia, 23-24 September, Draiba, Navosa

The Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens has been rescheduled to January next year due to renovations at Lawaqa Park.

Fiji's premier rugby sevens tournament was to have taken place on October 29-31 at its home in ‘Rugby Town’ however will instead be on 14-16 January 2016.

Founding Chairman, Jay Whyte, says the government-funded renovations bring a number of benefits to the tournament.

"An upgraded Lawaqa Park augurs well for us in attracting the highest calibre of teams to our shores," said Mr Whyte.  "We are already considered by many to be the premier Sevens in the South Pacific - men's and women's - and these improvements will only assist our vision of being the 'champion of champions' in the region.

"Further, Fiji's national coach, Mr Ben Ryan, has given his 'thumbs up' to the new date, as it offers his boys a good hit out in advance of the Wellington Sevens (29-30 January 2016), and we are excited to be the opening event at the new Lawaqa Park."

The revamped Lawaqa Park features a new roof over the grandstand while the playing surface is being replaced to international standard.  Work commenced this week and will be finished in December.

The Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens, founded in 2010, has previously attracted teams from New Zealand, Australia, Samoa, Tonga, American Samoa, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and the USA as well as the best of the best from Fiji.  Police are the defending champions having beaten Daveta 38-10 in 2014.

"Our expanded qualifying series, which starts in August, will continue and we will maintain our valued partnerships with the Central Coast Sevens (NSW, Australia), the Independence Sevens (Samoa) and the Serevi Rugbytown Sevens (USA)," continued Mr Whyte.  "We will also continue to raise the bar with overseas referees and international media and introduce a youth tournament for the first time.

"We are all excited by the opportunities as they present themselves and we look forward to another successful event in January 2016."

The Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens is sponsored by Bayleys Real Estate Fiji, Goodman Fielder (Fiji), Outrigger Beach Resort, Telecom Fiji Ltd, Fiji Chemicals, Higgins, BLK, Uprising Beach Resort, Tourism Fiji, Lawhill, Coastal Rental Cars, Bedarra Beach Inn, Gecko's Resort, Shangri-La's Fijian Resort and Spa, Fiji Hideaway Resort, Evergreen International, Hot Glass Fiji, Mana Graphix, Go Advertising, Formscaff, Davui Printery, Rainbow Cool Tech and the Coral Coast chapter of the Fiji Hotel Tourism Association.