MSG Secretariat backed Vanuatu National Women’s Rugby Sevens Team creates history for Vanuatu at the Oceania 7s Tournament 2019

10 November 2019

On the second day of the Oceania 7s Tournament, the debuting Vanuatu National Women’s Rugby Sevens team beat a strong Nauru side 24 points to 10 in front of a large crowd at the ANZ Stadium in Suva, Fiji.

The team had lost to hometown team, Fijiana on the first day of the games but that didn’t break their spirits as the young and strong thirteen women side ran into the field full of guts and positivity. Skipper Rachelle Tari remained unmoved after the loss against Fijiana “We have regrouped, discussed our rights and wrongs and we are ready for battle.” She said before she and her team ran onto the field to face the girls from Nauru.

Despite receiving big hits from the ladies from Nauru, the Vanuatu National Women’s Rugby Sevens Team put their might and faith behind each other coming out on top in terms of points creating history for Vanuatu and the island nation’s women.

The team’s second game on Day two of the tournament saw the girls go down against Solomon Islands but again this didn’t dampen spirits. Coach Simione Tuimalega said after the loss “Even though the team didn’t come out on top this time around, they are proving to the world and Oceania that Vanuatu is developing to be as strong as the other teams playing despite being the new kids on the block.” He added, “By the way the team has been playing, Vanuatu will be a threat to the older and more experienced teams in years to come.”

Day three of the tournament saw Vanuatu play their first international team, Japan SDS and despite losing to their Japanese counterparts, Vanuatu held their ground well regardless of being fresh to the international scene.

Coach Simione said “Japan has been around for at least ten years now and for Vanuatu to hold the Japanese girls off and come out with a loss that was less margin wise than the other teams that have been around longer, once again proves these ladies regardless of being new to the international level playing field they are well worth watching out for in the future.”

This is the first time Vanuatu has fielded a women’s team in a Rugby Sevens tournament at the international level writing a new chapter in Vanuatu’s sporting history books. With the Oceania Sevens pushing the theme of an “equal playing field”, this year’s tournament brought together 12 women’s teams in an Olympic qualifying tournament placing the girls into the mix for a possible placement into the Sevens tournament at the Olympics 2020 to be held in Japan.

In line with the tournaments theme the MSG Secretariat’s recently realigned Sports, Arts and Culture programme pushes for the empowerment and equality for women in sports within the MSG member states.

MSG Secretariat’s Director General Ambassador Amena Yauvoli was pleased with the Vanuatu National Women’s Rugby Sevens Team’s performances over the three-day tournament commending the team for their hard work and effort. “The Vanuatu National Women’s Rugby Sevens team has done a fantastic job playing over the last three days. For the team who are newcomers to Rugby Sevens at the international level play the way they have is something that the ladies should be commended for. They have put Vanuatu on the Rugby Sevens map when it comes to the women’s section and we look forward to seeing more of them in the years to come as they develop their skills.”

DG Yauvoli added “The MSG Secretariat is proud to support the team as we venture forward with our Sports programme making sure gender equality and empowerment for women and girls is a priority. The Oceania Sevens emphasis on an Equal Playing Field further enhances the importance of this essential need in our cultures within our MSG member states.”

The team flew home Sunday 10th October to Vanuatu and their loved ones with heads held high knowing they have created history for Vanuatu.

The Vanuatu Women’s National Sevens Team ended the women’s tournament in 10th place out of 12 competing teams, a massive achievement from a debuting team from a small island nation with limited resources, a lot of faith and determination.