A total of $40,000 in prize money will be shared by 44 teams who are taking part in the 33rd Fiji Bitter Marist 7s at the National Stadium next weekend.

Marist Rugby Club President Opetaia Ravai said one of their objectives is to assist the grass root clubs and one way to do this is to give away cash prizes to teams taking part in the tournament.

Ravai added they have also allowed two Fiji 7s teams to take part, as the Marist 7s will be used to name the Digicel Fiji 7s team to defend the Melrose Cup in Dubai in March.