Alana Thomas Praises Fijiana 7s Team’s Remarkable Growth and Performance

Alana Thomas praised the Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s team for their exceptional growth and performance, finishing as runners-up at the HSBC Vancouver 7s. Notably, the team only had three players with prior HSBC series experience, while the majority were newcomers. Their journey highlighted resilience and improvement, leading to significant achievements in their recent tournament outings.

Alana Thomas, the High-Performance Manager for Women’s Rugby at Fiji Rugby Union, has expressed admiration for the Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s team’s notable progress and performance at the HSBC Vancouver 7s. The team secured the runner-up position after losing to New Zealand with a score of 41-7 in the Women’s Cup final, marking a significant achievement in their recent endeavors.

Reflecting on their journey, Thomas emphasized the team’s impressive development since the start of the season. She noted that only three players had HSBC series experience, while 22 new athletes were integrated into the Sevens program this year. “In three months and four tournaments, they’ve been able to reach a final for the first time in about three or four years,” she remarked.

Thomas acknowledged the team’s resilience, particularly as they overcame challenges faced in previous tournaments held in Dubai and Cape Town. Their performance in Perth laid a solid foundation that culminated in stronger outcomes in Vancouver, including victories against Brazil and Japan, which advanced them to the Cup final. “The players were a demonstration of growth, not just from tournament to tournament, but game on game,” she stated.

She praised the players’ aptitude for learning and improvement, which reflects the considerable talent present within the squad. “I am super proud of the players, the staff, and the hard work they’ve put in,” Thomas added. As they look forward, the Fijiana 7s team aims to build upon this success while preparing for the remaining tournaments of the season.

In conclusion, Alana Thomas’s commendation of the Fijiana 7s team’s growth underscores their resilience and rapid development throughout the season. With a mix of experienced and new players, the team demonstrated their potential by reaching the final in Vancouver. Continued support and investment in their development will be crucial for sustaining this upward trajectory in future tournaments.

Original Source: www.fijitimes.com.fj