Alana Thomas lauded the growth and performance of the Fijiana 7s team, who reached the Women’s Cup final at the HSBC Vancouver 7s. The team finished as runners-up against New Zealand, showcasing significant development with many new players. Thomas emphasized the need for further investment in the team’s future as they prepare for the remainder of the season.
Alana Thomas, the High-Performance Manager for Women’s Rugby at Fiji Rugby Union, praised the Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s team for their notable growth and impressive performance during the HSBC Vancouver 7s. The team reached the Women’s Cup final, ultimately finishing as runners-up against New Zealand with a score of 41-7.
Reflecting on the team’s development, Thomas noted that at the beginning of the season, only three players possessed experience from the HSBC series, while 22 new players were integrated into the Sevens program. “In three months and four tournaments, they’ve been able to reach a final for the first time in about three or four years,” Thomas stated.
Thomas emphasized the importance of continued support and exposure for these athletes, indicating that further investment would help them perform on the global stage. The Fijiana 7s team demonstrated resilience by recovering from challenging tournaments in Dubai and Cape Town and showed marked improvement at the Perth tournament, leading to their strong performance in Vancouver.
The players were able to secure victories against Brazil and Japan en route to the Cup final, showcasing their growth throughout the campaign. Thomas remarked, “The players were a demonstration of growth, not just from tournament to tournament, but game on game. Their ability to learn and improve showed the talent we have. I am super proud of the players, the staff, and the hard work they’ve put in.”
Looking ahead, the Fijiana 7s team will focus on building upon this success as they approach the remaining tournaments of the season.
Alana Thomas has commended the Fijiana 7s team for demonstrating remarkable growth and resilience throughout their recent matches. Despite finishing second in the Vancouver 7s, their journey from inexperienced players to Cup finalists highlights their development. With continued support and exposure, the team is poised for future successes in upcoming tournaments.
Original Source: www.fijitimes.com.fj
