30/05/2019
THE 1 SCOTS INVITATIONAL SEVENS TOURNAMENT
The 1 Scots guards 7s tournament was held on the Wednesday 29th of May 2019, at Ratu Ganilau Park organised by the Nabalebale rugby club.
The 1 scots guards regiment had requested that Nabalebale organise an invitational 7s tournament to get teams from Vanua Levu to meet up with members of the 1 Scots Guards regiment and forge relationships with the youths, make connections and, if they were interested, learn how to go about applying online to join the British Army. As part of the event, a tent was erected in front of the grandstand for the young men and women who were present to meet the members of the 1 Scots Guards and ask questions/learn how to apply online and details on the application process.
Over 20 youths had 1) new email accounts created 2) application accounts on the British Army recruitment website opened to start their application process. Some Fijian members of the Scots Guards offered to be sponsors for potential new recruits. The 1 Scots Guards told those that applied that they would gladly be welcomed into the Scots Guards once they passed their BARB test (British Army Recruiting Board). They were shown how to apply online, the importance of getting their passports and sponsorship ready as well as how imperative it was to be fit and disciplined and to be willing to listen to instructions.
More registration and online applications were done during the after match function at Nabalebale Village.
The Scots Guards officers mentioned that their regiment is seriously undermanned and due to the Fijians high reputation in the British Army, prompted them to do a 16 day tour of Fiji and help in the application for recruitment for those interested.
The 1 scots guards took up accommodation in Nabalebale Village, 3 houses and the Youth Dream Centre, after presenting their I Savusavu to the village elders including Head of the Mataqali Ilisoni Pita and family patriarch Maj. Ilisoni Ligairi
Tournament
The tournament was a 1 day event with 12 teams with Nabalebale winning the cup final beating Lomaiviti 22- 7.Although Nabalebale had an under 19 side that was well known for winning many of the local club tournaments, this was the first time they had to organise a tournament of their own. The Scots guards fielded their own team with more members playing for Nabalebale .One of the scots guards officers gave a live commentary and roused the crowd in Ganilau Park into a series of Mexican waves to add more fun to the tournament. The $600 prize money was provided by the Scots guards and the administrators spread the prize money between plate and cup finalists and runners up.
There are plans underway to make this an annual event.
The results are as follows:
FINALS RESULTS
Cup Winners – Nabalebale - Prizemoney - $300
Runners up - Lomaiviti Prize money $ 100
Plate winners – Nasinu Brothers $150
Runners up – Nakasa $ 50
We would like to thank President of the Cakaudrove Referees Association, Semisi Saro, Elia Vucui junior and their team of referees and administrators who helped the Nabalebale Club admins in setting up the draws. Also thanks to the sterling efforts of the medics comprised of volunteer members of the Nabalebale Red Cross, as well as trained medics from the 1 Scots Guards.
A big vinaka vakalevu to Major Ilisoni Ligairi and Alena Ligairi for their generous financial support without which we could not have run the tournament.
The families of the Mataqali nasawana and all family friends for their tireless work in hosting our guests and providing accommodation.
A SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS to our brothers of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards whose time with us has brought so much hope, joy and rejuvenated enthusiasm to the young men and women of Vanua Levu. Many thanks to Capt Carpenter and the boys for establishing what we believe will be a fruitful and lifelong relationship between your esteemed regiment and the vanua of Nasawana.
Vinaka vakalevu Maitau Autiko Domonakibau Madigi and Brother Coka for the organising of this event and for helping bring new opportunities to the youths of Cakaudrove, Bua and macuata.
To all members of the 1 Scots Guards, Nabalebale Village is your home away from home.
