Twenty-six boys have joined the Veilomani U16 rugby club to compete in the 2024 Raro 7s Tournament that kicks off today.

Proud sponsor, Cook Islands General Transport Managing Director, Malcolm Sword sharing words of encouragement to the team on Wednesday said the company has been involved with Sevens Rugby since 1988-89, when it was introduced to the Cook Islands where they pitched one of the Fijian greats.

Sword said the Fiji Rugby Union didn't even know the maestro of 7s rugby was in Rarotonga at about 18 years of age.

“We heard he was the future of Fiji, so we brought him here. We had a team of 10, but on that day when he played, there was only one guy and he was running around everyone. Obviously, he had good grounding, he was focused, and he worked hard,” Sword said.

He said that as an 18-year-old, Serevi was competing with the likes of Eric Rush.

“One of the things I remember about him was that he was very religious, he was very humble, and he was very focused. So, our journey with the Sevens has been long and we'd like to continue.

“What I look forward to is, I'm really excited that there's an opportunity for the youth. You young men, will be our future stars at the senior level. And it's good to see we've got all these Cook Islanders that are going to be eligible to make a team in the near future.

“You know, the Cook Island Sevens team that's been competing in the various tournaments in the Pacific, we actually don't have depth…and this is where the depth comes from. It's from your youth.”

“I look forward to the future, to see some of your names, it's going to be up there in the newspaper. And that's the pathway. So, discipline, listen to your coaches, listen to mum and dad, and have faith that you'll get there one day,” he added.

Meanwhile, the youngsters will make up two teams Drua and Bati and will be coached by Ngatangiia-Matavera Sea Eagles U16 coach Joseph Cowan for team Drua and Tupapa Panthers Raukavi (Kave) Mocedike.

Cowan says they are very excited for the boys and even though they won’t be competing with other teams they are still happy that the boys are giving it a go, making it their time to shine.

He said the young players are the future of rugby in the Cook Islands.

“It's a pleasure for me, the staff and the organisers, just to be a part of these boys bringing them through. All the parents have their own kids in this team. It's a great feeling.

“I'm just very blessed and privileged to be a part of this team. Even though it's not a competition for us, we're playing against each other, but it's a good start for the boys.”

Cowan said the teams are built up for next year’s Raro 7s Tournament.

15 REASONS WHY KIDS SHOULD PLAY RUGBY

• Improve physical health & well-being (knowledge & understanding).
• Improve social skills.
• Learn to lose (skills to overcome).
• Learn to win (rewards).
• Equal opportunities for both boys & girls.
• Build self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Learn valuable life lessons- teamwork and work ethic.
• Positive role models eg: All Blacks.
• Make lifelong friendships.
• Breed academic success.
• Safety – qualified safety-based coaching.
• Learn to build character, team culture & community.
• Learn about our Values based principles eg: “DRIPS” - discipline, respect, integrity, passion & solidarity.
• Reduce stress (outlet).
• Pathways available to higher honors.