The South Seas Drifters team has become a second home for members of the Fiji 7s national team and plays an exciting brand of rugby designed to thrill.
The Drifters' origins result from English-man Simon Bayliff using his gap year to play some sevens rugby. He visited several of the Pacific islands, made some friends and eventually returned to England via NZ and Australia.
Once back in London he made contact with the Pacific Islanders, a London-based team made up of anyone from the islands who happened to be in London.
Simon and his father, Terry, responded to a request in 1999 to provide a team in Ireland's Kinsale sevens tournament.
While beaten finalists in that first compettion, the Drifters went on to win the tournament for the next four seasons. Several of these victories came courtesy of an increasing Fijian presence from the British Army.
Other tournaments were added to the Drifters' calender, including the prestigious Dubai International 7s in which the Drifters have now competed six times, being winners in 2003, 2004 and 2007.
Terry's occupation brought him to Darwin in 2005 and inevitable contact with Bruce Kennon of the Rugby Shop and a close relationship with John Robinson of the Darwin Resort Hotel, led to the Drifters taking part in the 2006 Hottest 7s where they
reached the semis. In 2007 and last year, an eciting encounter in the final with
the Aussie Spirit, saw the Drifters winning the tournment and it is now firmly lodged in their diary as an increasingly high profile event in World Sevens Rugby.
Drifters have been lucky to have an advisor in legendary Fijian rugby star Waisale Serevi, who plays for the team when he can.

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