Wauchope Thunder’s Paddy Bowen is Fiji bound again, taking on some of Fiji’s best at Coast 7s. The young coach has a team jam packed full of talent with some of the biggest names in Rugby 7s on the roster.
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“We made quite an impression last year, with our women beating Fiji at home and our men beating Hong Kong” Bowen explains.
“This year we had a lot players show interest in the program and we got some huge names playing for us as a result.”
Fijian 7s powerhouses Pio Tuwai, Sanivalati Ramuwai, Sevuloni Tawake and Joeli Lutumailagi bulk up an already impressive team. It’s a baptism of fire for the Thunder coach who squares up against a slick Australian Development side first up.
“Coaching against your country is always bittersweet. The Aussie development side have a great side with players training full or part time in their program. But playing in Fiji is one thing, winning in Fiji is a whole different ball game,” says Bowen.
“Some of these local teams like the Police side have been playing and training together for years. They would probably be a competitive side on the World Series in their own right.”
As a coach, Bowen has had a meteoric rise through the ranks to establish himself on the Domestic and International scene. Successful stints in the USA with Stars 7s last year will see him return in 2019 with the Las Vegas International 7s pencilled in for next month, followed by Calgary in Canada.
With a professional coaching career in his sights, he has no plans on leaving the Thunder anytime soon.
“I am studying the world’s longest Physiotherapy degree.” Bowen jokes.
“Charles Sturt University are probably sick of me and still have a couple of years to go.”
The local University allow elite players and coaches time away from studies to pursue their sport through the Elite Athlete Program. Something Bowen is grateful for
“Without the support from CSU I wouldn’t be able to pursue a lot of opportunities like NSW Country, AON 7s and events overseas. It really is a blessing.”
You can catch all the action of Coral Coast 7s via live stream on their facebook page.
