Coming into the NAI 7s you'd do well to keep a close eye on Pasefika.

A talented group of players mostly from the North Shore of Oahu, Pasefika deals with plenty of obstacles to play in Salt Lake City, and they keep showing up and performing no matter where the rugby is.

Showing well at the National Youth Sevens Championships Pasefika gets to these tournaments despite being far away and not well-heeled.

In Salt Lake Pasefika is playing in the U18 Girls bracket with a challenging list of opponents including Salt Lake Valley, The Rugby Advantage, Utah Cannibals, and California Grizzlies.

Success at the NAI, say coaches Danny Afualo and Matuu Pulotu, is all about getting each player to embrace a common purpose and goal.

They do this, the coaches told GRR, by developing self confidence, critical thinking, independent decision-making, promote a healthy lifestyle, and enforce accountability.

And then it's about broadening horizons. The NAI 7s creates exposure for the players who want to go on to college or get noticed. It also just provides playing opportunities and exposure to different styles of play and different ideas.

It's a noble approach and it works. The players have to work hard to compete, especially as they don't see their opposition very much. It's also expensive to make these trips and the players depend greatly on the sacrafices their families make, along with fundraisers, side jobs, and community support to get there.

As a result they value each match all the more.