An open women’s competition has been added to the second Blue Mountains and Greater West Rugby Sevens Carnival.
Tournament director Chris Nay said the Australian Women’s Rugby Sevens inaugural gold medal win at the Rio Olympics had generated a lot more interest in the sport.
He said the contact was less in rugby sevens, so that was appealing to female competitors.
After the inaugural competition in January at Pitt Park, Wentworth Falls, which included a youth girls competition, he was fielding a lot of queries.
“The girls teams – people saw it last year and wanted to be involved. Most times they haven’t played before, so it’s very exciting,” Mr Nay said.
This year’s carnival will be held on December 9. NSW Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson is expected to attend as well as Waratahs player Jed Holloway. Scouts will be on hand looking for talent. There will also be an open men’s competition, as well as schoolgirls and schoolboys competition.
Many teams are returning from the first carnival, which was won by Stannies Old Boys from Bathurst. They beat the Lapstone Grunts – a side of Blue Mountains Grammar and Blue Mountains Rugby old boys.
Mr Nay said team registrations were still being taken for this year’s tournament and there were sponsorship opportunities available. Email chris@kaizensports.com.au.