Page 18 - IB FEB 2018

Cover Story

ilton, Singapore, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, The heat is on cycle,” Egan said.
Vancouver, Paris and London. Countries Their visit coincided with the launch of
selected by World Rugby need to satisfy a Defending series champion South Af- a social media campaign that will provide
wide range of criteria that addresses many rica, winner of the Dubai Sevens, leads fans a chance to support and register for
aspects such as venue, hotels and crowd the championship despite losing to Fiji the “Fiji for 7s” in a creative way.
attendance to name a few. at the Hamilton Sevens in New Zealand The campaign - Fiji Flair - started on 31
Serevi, who was instrumental in the early this month. January and will end on 23 February. Five
campaign for the sport’s inclusion at the The Neil Powell-coached side, demol- winners will be announced on 9 March.
Olympics, has backed FRU’s bid. ished 29-0 by Australia in the final of the In order to go into the draw to win one
“Wherever in the world this tourna- Sydney Sevens on 28 January, was lead- of five signed Fiji sevens jerseys, the FRU
ment is played, the flow-on benefits to ing 17-5 at the breather before Fiji came encouraged all social media enthusiasts
that country has been immense,” he said. back to win 24-17. It sits atop the table and Fiji rugby supporters to upload their
“Rugby sevens is the fastest growing with 77 points. most creative and original “Fiji for 7s”
sport in the world and what it can do for bid photo or video showing their support.
Fiji cannot be compared to any other fac- New Zealand, winner in Cape Town, These could be in the form of an in-
tor,” he told Islands Business. led Fiji at half-time in their semi-final dividual, a group of friends or family
“What we have done for sevens rugby but eventually bowed out to the Olym- members cheering, singing or posing at
all these years is unmatched and I strongly pic champions 14-12. It is second on home, in the office, around the grog tanoa
believe that one day we will host a global 69 points. Fiji is third with 62 points or while skydiving. All entries must also
tournament. Just as we believed we could followed by Australia on 60 after four include the slogan “Fiji for 7s, It’s time” in
win the Olympics, we need to work hard rounds of the series, which now moves either written format or it can be chanted
towards this goal,” Following the success to the Sam Boys Stadium in Las Vegas out like a cheer. These can be uploaded to
of the sport at the Rio Olympics, World on 2-4 March. the Fiji for 7s and FRU Facebook Page and
Rugby said crowd attendance in the 2016- With four different winners in the series all entrants must encourage their friends
2017 series over the 10 rounds increased so far, the stage is set for an exciting and followers on Facebook to “like” their
by almost 10 per cent to 734,000 fans. clash in Las Vegas before the Common- support photo or video.
Its total social media community reached wealth Games in April and World Cup in O’Connor said that while the numbers
120 million across multiple languages as July. for the bid are increasing daily, there is a
the series broadcast to a global audience need to reach the 100,000 mark in order
in over 100 countries. Other standings: Argentina 48, England to show World Rugby that all Fijians are
In a statement, World Rugby said the 47, USA 36, Kenya 35, Samoa, 35, France in full support of the bid.
figures reflect the increased popularity of 29, Canada 28, Scotland 23, Wales 17, Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association
a sport that saw its fan-base increase by Spain 16, PNG 8. Coral Coast chapter representative, Peter
almost 17 million people in six key territo- Hopgood, said support for the Coral Coast
ries and as much as 30 million worldwide tournament had continued to grow and
as sevens “basked in the golden halo of a Langley said with the tender process strengthened Fiji’s bid on the world arena.
high-octane Olympic Games debut.” opened for the 2020-2023 cycle, Fiji would He said it was an incentive for the industry
World Rugby said as audience engage- be part of it before an announcement is during “quiet times.”
ment grew by almost 50 per cent over the made in June. Tourism Fiji, which backed Fiji’s host-
season, video views increased by 15 per World Rugby representatives inspected ing of the Oceania Sevens – attended by
cent to 68.5 million, driven by Instagram, venues, hotels and other facilities under international teams - last November, is
Facebook and Snapchat as 7s inspired a consideration by the FRU as part of its bid also supporting the FRU bid.
new generation. during a two-day tour last month. The Suva-based Police team beat de-
With World Rugby operating in four World Rugby’s head of competitions and fending champion First Light Taveuni
languages, the Spanish and French audi- performance at World Rugby, Mark Egan, 34-7 to win the Coral Coast Sevens.
ences grew to almost 150,000 fans on said the visit offered them an opportunity The next major tournament in the
Instagram, representing 20 per cent of to review progress made by the FRU in country will be the Paradise Beverages
the total. preparing for its bid and answer questions Fiji Bitter Marist Sevens, to be held at the
Following World Rugby’s announce- regarding the tender process, tournament ANZ Stadium in Suva on 23-24 March.
ment, the International Olympic Commit- delivery requirements, commercial and Sixty-four teams have been confirmed
tee’s executive board said that rugby 7s financial matters. for the tourney, which has been sponsored
would continue to be an Olympic sport “We look forward to receiving the final for F$50,000 (USD24,700).
beyond Tokyo 2020, reflecting the sport’s document at the end of February and I Rugby fans can register their support
alignment with Agenda 2020 as a fan-first have every confidence that the FRU will for the FRU bid on fijifor7s.com.
sport that fills stadiums and attracts a new submit a professional and robust bid that FRU has offered a trip for two to the
young audience. will seek to meet all the requirements. Hong Kong Sevens, which includes air-
World Rugby Sevens director Douglas We’ve been impressed by many aspects of fares, four nights’ accommodation and a
Langley said the record-breaking figures the bid preparation and there is no ques- three-day pass to the tournament.
paint a picture of global success and tion that Fiji will offer a very unique and All those that register their support will
growth as “sevens continues to go from passionate bid for our executive commitee go into a draw for the prize.
strength to strength, on and off the field, to consider when determining the host
following our Olympic Games debut.” unions for the next World Series hosting r ilaitia.turagabeci@gmail.com

18 Islands Business, February 2018