Lady Avatiu Eels claimed the 2024 Rarotonga 7s competition in the women’s division on the weekend.

Coach Andrew Iroa, the former Cook Islands 7s coach, says the team had a lot of young girls and it was good to see a positive development in the women’s division in terms of rugby 7s.

The Avatiu Lady Eels, in a nail-biting final on Saturday defeated Lady Panthers 12-7.

Cook Islands Rugby Union says both teams showcased incredible skill, strength, and determination throughout the tournament, making it a memorable showdown.

 Iroa said one of the young girls, Mahana Sijp in the team will be representing the national 7s team that will be playing in Solomon Islands in December for the 2024 Oceania 7s tournament.

Iroa said he was proud of the young women who competed this year as the majority of them are in their 20s. “It's good to see the development of the sevens locally and I'm delighted to be part of our women's 7s development here in the Cook Islands, in terms of service.”