New Army Men's Sevens head coach looks forward to challenges ahead
Former Army Rugby Sevens player Corporal Joseva Nayacavou, of the Royal Signals, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Army Men's Rugby Sevens for the 2023 season.
As well as playing for the Army, Cpl Nayacavou competed internationally for Scotland, including at 38 World Sevens Series events and at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
He took over as head coach from his predecessor Isoa Damu, who stepped down last year, and he now looks forward to the challenges of the new role for the up-and-coming season.
Speaking to the Army Rugby Union, he is now relishing the opportunity to lead the red shirts into the upcoming season and meeting the expectations that comes with the role of Head Coach.
He said: "It is a massive responsibility, because of the traditions of success that the Army Sevens team has, but I also believe that the team is in a good place and that strong foundations have been laid by my predecessor, Damu. So while it is a challenge, it's a good challenge."
The red shirts have their sights set on retaining their title at the Melrose Sevens, a feat only three teams have achieved in the last 20 years, as well as returning to the Bournemouth Sevens.
The team, however, will not be entering the Super Series Sevens.
Cpl Nayacavou added: "We did not enter the Super Sevens this year because we felt that we were not getting a return on the investment we were putting into it.
"But that does give us the opportunity to play in other tournaments, and the feedback we've had from those tournaments, like Norwich last season, is that we help to boost the profile of those events. It also helps us to spread the brand of Army Rugby to new places.
"I'm especially looking forward to Bournemouth and Melrose in particular. Last year we gave our place at Bournemouth to UKAF so they could prepare for the World Military Sevens, so it will be good to go back there. It's been a few years since we did well there, and it's exciting to play in front of the big crowds that they get.
"Melrose is a big tournament, and winning back-to-back doesn't happen there very often. So if we could go and win there again it would be a big achievement for us."
The Army Sevens will be holding their trials for April's Melrose Sevens in March, where Cpl Nayacavou is looking for players who can "do the basics well".
He said: "You have to represent your regiment and corps because you're competing with elite players.
"All I'm looking for is someone who can do the basics well, passing left and right with the same energy, and if you've got the right attitude and work ethic then you'd fit right in.
"You can't teach attitude and how hard you're willing to work. Everything else can be developed," he added.
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