Fiji TV 7s to kick off domestic 7s season 27 October, 2011 Fiji Rugby's local sevens season is fast approaching and officially kicks off next month with the Fiji TV Sigatoka 7s on 12 November at Lawaqa Park. In total there are four official tournaments in the Fiji TV Provincial 7s Series with the Nadi 7s on 14 January; the Lautoka 7s on 18 February and the Provincial 7s Finals on 25 February. 

The first three tournaments all act as a qualifier for the final tournament on 25 February with the qualifying tournaments each offering $15,000 in prize money. The Provincial Final has a prize pool of $20,000 with the winner walking away with $10,000. 

Current defending Fiji TV Provincial 7s champions are Lautoka 1 who, led by Clermont bound Metuisela Talebula, defeated the highly fancied Police team – who were masquerading as Namosi 2 – by a single point, 21-20, in a pulsating final at the National Stadium in Suva last February. 

Following on from leading his side to victory in the Provincial 7s final Talebula went on to make his debut for the Digicel Fiji 7s team at the London and Edinburgh 7s where he acquitted himself extremely well. 

All three qualifying tournaments are open to all Unions – both Major and Minor – with 24 places available, though depending on interest this may increase to 32 teams. Places for the Finals will be restricted to the top 12 teams who come through the qualifiers in addition to four wild card entrants as determined by the Fiji Rugby Union. 

As well as the FIji TV Provincial 7s Series there are a number of other top local competitions which make up the domestic sevens season which runs from November through to March and these include the Coral Coast 7s, the Uprising 7s, the Marist 7s and the Nawaka 7s to name just a few.

First prize money for the Fiji TV Sigatoka 7s on 12 November is $7,000.