“Last year was a big mission; the girls went over with seven players – enough to take the field,” Tamati said.
“We were lucky enough to be supported by Centrale, last minute, to get two more players over so we could compete with nine.
“We want to try and take it out this year and [return] for the support they gave us last year.”
She said it was important the team played in another tournament this time because it was a long way to go for just one.
Full Send will compete in the LIT Sevens elite grade, rather than the open grade.
“We are going to test it out, see how we go and, if we can, compete against the top sevens teams over there,” Tamati said.
“For our girls that are trying to go further with their rugby, this is a really good tester for where they are at with their rugby capability.”
Fundraising for the trip started in December, Tamati said.
The biggest fundraising event was a 24-hour spin bike, which strengthened the team’s bond.
The players were feeling good about the prospect of competing in Europe, Tamati said.
“We have got a good bunch of girls going over, the connection in our team is really good.
“We have got a good culture, which I feel in a sport like sevens, is the main priority; to be connected as one.
“It is such a tough sport. In that seven minutes, it is go, go, go, so we really want to be one unit.”
Only five of the 12 players travelled to the Centrale Sevens last year.
“For a few of them, it is their first time getting on a plane overseas and a lot of them haven’t been to Europe before – they can’t wait.”
Eleven players will fly to London on May 5 and connect with Awatere McLean-Wanoa, who has been playing rugby in Ireland.
Fin Ocheduszko Brown is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.
