BY RICHARD MENANOPO
Uso Tasi Rugby Club will host an Independence Day Rugby Sevens tournament next month in a bid to keep rugby active in Solomon Islands amid the absence of regular competitions.
The tournament is scheduled for July 7 at Town Ground Stadium and will feature senior men’s and Under-18 divisions, with a total prize pool of $75,000 on offer.
Speaking to Island Sun Sports yesterday, Uso Tasi Rugby Club founder and owner Calwyn Tengamoana said the tournament was organised to provide playing opportunities for rugby athletes while also celebrating the country’s Independence Day.
“The objective of organising this tournament is that it has been almost half a year now without any proper rugby competition.
“There has been no rugby competition or any rugby activity taking place. Because of that, clubs have to step in and organise sevens tournaments to celebrate our Independence Day and also keep young players and athletes actively involved in rugby,” Tengamoana said.
Tengamoana said his club decided to take the initiative after observing a lack of organised rugby competitions during the first half of the year.
“We are now heading towards the end of June and there has still been no competition. That is why our club decided to organise ourselves and work with sponsors to run this tournament,” he said.
He said the tournament received approval from the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF), which also provided access to the venue.
“The intention is to celebrate Independence Day and be part of the national celebrations.
“We sought permission from the Federation, which has the authority over the venue because the ground belongs to them. They approved our request to use the venue and run the competition,” Tengamoana said.
The tournament will cater for up to 12 senior teams and eight Under-18 teams.
Tengamoana said the introduction of an Under-18 division aims to create a pathway for young rugby players to develop within club structures before progressing into senior competition.
“There is currently no dedicated Under-18 rugby competition in Solomon Islands, so we want to create opportunities for Under-18 players within the senior club structure.
“This allows young players to develop and eventually progress into senior club rugby when they come of age,” he said.
While the Independence Day Rugby Sevens is being staged for the first time, Tengamoana said organisers hope it can become a regular annual event.
“At the moment, we are trying it for the first time. If our sponsors continue to support us, then we would like to continue running it again next year,” he said.
Tengamoana calls on rugby clubs to register and support the initiative, describing the event as an opportunity to bring the rugby community together while promoting discipline and positive engagement among young people.
“This tournament is about keeping the rugby community involved in sport, promoting discipline, and bringing people together.
“We want to keep young people engaged in sport. Rugby brings people together as one family and one community,” he said.
He added that the tournament will also help Uso Tasi Rugby Club prepare for an upcoming tour to Australia later this year.
“We are also preparing for our Australian tour in October. That is another reason why we want to bring the boys together and host these games, so they can improve their fitness and prepare themselves for future tournaments,” Tengamoana said.
On rugby development, Tengamoana stressed that regular competition is essential for the growth of the sport.
“If there are no games, there can be no development in sport.
“That is why we decided to step in. This tournament is part of rugby development, both for Under-18 players and for senior clubs,” he said.
Registrations for the senior men’s division cost $4,000 per team and closes on June 24 at 4pm.
The Independence Day Rugby Sevens comes at a time when local rugby stakeholders are seeking more playing opportunities for athletes amid a lack of major domestic competitions.
The event is expected to provide valuable game time for players, support youth development pathways and contribute to celebrations marking Solomon Islands’ Independence Day.
Photo: Supplied
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