Following its runaway success at the Rio Olympics this year, Rugby Sevens will come to the Blue Mountains in 2017 with a major tournament held at Wentworth Falls.
Hosted by Blue Mountains Grammar School, the Blue Mountains and Greater West Rugby Sevens Carnival will see teams from Orange to Penrith compete on the school’s ovals and neighbouring Pitt Park on Saturday, January 28.
High school students have already responded positively to the event’s schoolboy and schoolgirl championship, with teams from Blue Mountains Grammar set to play against other local high schools.
With the Australian women’s team winning gold in Rio, interest from local schoolgirls has been particularly high, said tournament organiser Nicholas Webb from Blue Mountains Grammar.
The tournament’s open section will feature former players from schools including Blue Mountains Grammar, St Columba’s High School, Scots College at Bathurst, Winmalee High and Penrith Anglican College.
Whilst the schoolboys and schoolgirls competition is strictly for players attending specific schools, the open men’s competition is far more liberal in its approach.
“The competition is for whoever has 14 willing mates that live or have lived within the catchment area. There have been plenty of ‘old boys’ school sides registered in the carnival, with most players seeing it as a great opportunity to dust of their boots and have a run with their old school mates,” said Mr Webb.
“To participate in the open men’s competition, you don’t need to be currently playing rugby and can represent your local school’s ‘old boys’ team, a business or organisation, or simply make up your own name and register a side. All open men’s registrations include custom jersey and teamwear for the day.”
Teams can register until November 11 via the Facebook page or at http://www.tinyurl.com/bmgwrugbysevens
Thirty teams will take part in the officially sanctioned NSW Rugby event, which is expected to attract a large crowd with a carnival-atmosphere featuring food and market stalls.
Organisers still have sponsorship opportunities available. Businesses interested in being part of the event can contact Nicholas Webb at nwebb@bmgs.nsw.edu.au or Chris Nay at chris@kaizensports.com.au.
