Solomon Breweries General Manager Andy Hewson has announced Solbrew as the major sponsor of the Solbrew-Marist Easter 7s tournament scheduled for Saturday the 23rd of April 2011.

In making the announcement Mr Hewson described the sponsorship as not just benefiting Marist Rugby but rugby overall in the country, as such tournaments are instrumental to the development of rugby in the Solomons, particularly now with the entry of 7s rugby as an Olympic sport.

Mr Hewson also explained that an area they are keen to see much improvement is good management of sport clubs and tournaments as it not only ensures, for any sport, on-going support from the sponsors but contributes to the development of that sport.

Joe Sika member of the 7s organising committee and long-time Marist member expressed the club's appreciation of the Solbrew support.

"Solbrew's sponsorship of the up-coming 7s, is one of the many activities Marist Rugby has been able to action as a result of their support, for which we are very appreciative, especially as we need more 7s competitions to help lift our standard of game so that we can be more competitive regionally."

Sika said "The 7s tournament will be a one day event with allocation for twelve teams only, we hope teams from active provincial rugby associations such as Malaita, Western and Renbel province will be able to take part."

"Having teams other than the usual Honiara clubs always makes a competition exciting," he said, "in the meantime we would like to let all clubs know that we will be informing them of the details in due course."

Meanwhile Frank Wickham the president of new Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF) Executive endorsed the up-coming 7s tournament as a positive for rugby in the country.

"Our executive has big plans to develop the sport at all levels and to establish strong partnerships with stakeholders including the private sector, so it's good to see Solbrew leading the way."

"SIRUF plans to use the tournament to continue its player selection process for the 7s squad to represent the Solomon Islands in the upcoming South Pacific Games in New Caledonia" Mr Wickham said.

"We hope through good management of tournaments like this, to see increasing interest and support for rugby in the country."