19/09/2023
๐๐ข๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐จ๐ง ๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ฃ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ง ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐'๐ฌ ๐
๐ข๐ฃ๐ข ๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐๐.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka, Fiji - 20 September, 2023
Legendary 7s coach Sir Gordon Tietjens will make history in January as he becomes the first-ever coach to be inducted into the โWalk of Fameโ at the McDonald's Fijiโs Coral Coast Sevens in Fijiโs โRugby Townโ of Sigatoka. Joining him as an Ambassador for the 2024 version of the renowned international tournament is England 7s superstar Dan Norton.
Recognised as the most successful 7s coach in history, โTitchโ has left an indelible mark on the sport with no fewer than 12 World 7s Series titles, two Rugby World Cup 7s gold medals and four Commonwealth Games golds.
Recently retired English wing Norton meanwhile, bids farewell to his illustrious career as the leading try scorer on the World 7s Series, having amassed a remarkable 358 tries. His extraordinary talent, speed and agility made him a force to be reckoned with on the rugby field, captivating fans around the globe. The Gloucester-born flyerโs achievements have cemented his legacy as of one the all-time greats in the sport.
The highly anticipated McDonald's Fijiโs Coral Coast Sevens will take place from 18-20 January, 2024, at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka, Fiji.
โI have made so many rugby visits to Fiji,โ Titch said, โdating back to the 1990s when Iโd bring over the New Zealand side for the old Fiji International 7s in Suva. I have always loved my time in the โLand of 7sโ and feel very honoured to be the 15th inductee and first coach in the Rugby Town Hall of Fame.โ
โTo also be the Ambassador for McDonald's Fijiโs Coral Coast Sevens is very humbling, and I look forward to sharing all these tributes in Fiji in January.โ
When asked how about he feels to be joining Sir Gordon in Fiji, Dan Norton stated โIโm really excited to be selected as the 2024 tournament ambassador for the McDonald's Fiji's Coral Coast Sevens and canโt wait to visit Fiji for the first time.โ
He continued โFiji is synonymous with Rugby 7s and itโs been an honour playing against the different teams and players for so many years and sharing some great battles.
Everywhere we went we were met with love and support from the fans. I can't wait to discover what makes the people so special and their passion for rugby 7s so intense. I am honoured to be joining the Rugbytown Walk of Fame, having my plaque unveiled alongside some absolute legends of the game like Serevi, Gollings, Lomu, Campese and Habana is very humbling indeed.โ
Tournament director Jay Whyte shared his thoughts on the importance of Tournament Ambassadors, stating, "Tournament ambassadors help play a vital role in promoting the event locally and globally, helping to elevate the McDonald's Fiji Coral Coast Sevens. We also view this inclusion as a way of thanking our ambassadors for their service to the game of rugby over the course of their careers. This is a small way of simply saying Vina Valevu Djinaโ
โDan Norton and Sir Gordon Tietjens are exceptional individuals who embody the values of the sport and inspire rugby players worldwide. We are honoured to have them as our Ambassadors for 2024 and believe their involvement will further enhance the tournament's reputation as a premier international rugby sevens event."
โFans will get the chance to meet Titch and Dan face to face as they join the many activities planned for the week.โ
The tournament holds a special place amongst sporting events in Fiji. Well known for its exhilarating displays of skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship, the tournament attracts rugby enthusiasts from around the world to the beautiful Nadroga region of Fiji. Since its inception in 2010, Fijiโs Coral Coast 7s has successfully merged two of Fiji's greatest assets โ Rugby Sevens and the Coral Coast โ to create an event that celebrates the rich talent and vibrant rugby culture of the nation.
Driven by the Tourism Sector of the Coral Coast Hotel Association, the tournament has grown exponentially, with a prize pool of $20,000 for up grabs in its inaugural year, now boasting over $75k. Over the years, the McDonald's Fijiโs Coral Coast Sevens has played a pivotal role in the development of rugby in Fiji, nurturing young talent and providing a platform for players to showcase their skills on an international stage, with numerous players going on to international representation and signing professional contracts overseas.
For more information and updates about the McDonald's Fijiโs Coral Coast Sevens, please visit http://fijicoralcoastsevens.com or on follow us https://www.facebook.com/FijisCoralCoast7s
