The women’s competition for the CMFI 7s currently underway in Labasa has been cancelled.

CMFI 7s Media Officer Malakai Yamaivava says there was very little interest shown by women’s rugby clubs.

Yamaivava says they hope to invest in women’s rugby and this is an area they will be looking into next year.

“We believe in encouraging women’s rugby in the Northern division. The committee is working out a plan on how to encourage women to participate in the tournament next year and we are working on that.”

Fiji Airways men’s 7s coach Gareth Baber who is also at the tournament scouting for talents says this is disappointing as women’s rugby has reached a higher level around the world.

“I’m disappointed obviously a from the tournaments perspective. The 7s competition is very healthy, the 15 is very healthy around the world as well. And the Olympics is just around the corner where the women will be playing alongside the men. The likes of Australia and New Zealand are showing the way of women’s rugby because it’s very much a standalone sport and it’s very much resourced accordingly. It’s a great sport to be in.”

Only one team, the Naikelikoso Women’s Rugby Team had registered for the tournament forcing the organisers to cancel the competition.