5 Jul 2016

Sport: Cook Islands believe future is bright for women's 7s

1:03 pm on 5 July 2016

Cook Islands are determined to build on their performance at the women's Olympic sevens qualifiers and map a path to future success.

The new-look squad finished in ninth place in Dublin, going unbeaten on the second day of competition to win the Challenge Trophy.

Head coach Crystal Kaua has only been in the job since April and said she would have spent less than ten full days with the squad.

She believed the team had plenty of room to grow.

"I don't know how yet but how we get to the Central Coast Sevens prior to the Oceania (Championship) and how we get some quality competition within New Zealand prior to Oceania. That will be my priority and my husband's priority over the next few weeks is figuring out how we create some structure around the next few months and create genuine opportunities," she said.

"(What we achieved in Dublin) just proved that with a small amount of time there's so much potential in this group and we're keen on finding out how we maximise that."

Crystal Kaua said she doesn't want to funding to be the reason why the team does not succeed.

Cook Islands celebrate winning the Challenge Trophy at the Dublin Sevens.

Cook Islands celebrate winning the Challenge Trophy at the Dublin Sevens. Photo: World Rugby