Annual 7's Competition 2013

The annual 7's competition will again be challenged for at Ivel RFC, Yeovil on Wednesday 5 June 2013.  This will be the second consecutive year this competition has been hosted by Ivel RFC. Historically, this competition has been geographically shared between the two regions of Portsmouth and Plymouth. However, recent years have evidenced an ever increasing frustration and difficulty for team managers regarding the logistic arrangements for getting their teams to the various venues.

This year, it is anticipated that the competition will see an increase in teams participating across the three regions of the Royal Navy, therefore, promoting this competition to be the biggest rugby community event in the rugby calendar, for the players, coaches, referees and the appreciated volunteers.

The semi-finals last year witnessed HMS Ocean take on the might of HMS Seahawk. Whilst the other semi-final saw CTCRM lose to 30 Commando 29 - 12. The final match was a closely fought battle between the finalists HMS Seahawk and 30 Commando. However, yet again HMS Seahawk proved their capital success beating 30 Commando and therefore taking the trophy back to Cornwall for the fourth consecutive year.

Running alongside the competition this year will see the RNRU link into the local community by hosting a college/sixth form 7's competition. It is planned for this competition to be a round robin competition between the 6 local colleges within the Yeovil region. The final of this community event will be played prior to the Navy 7's final.

Match Officials for the competition will again be supplied by our valued Referee Society, who recently supported the RFU National Girls competition during the recent Army v Navy match.  The RNRU 7's trophy was originally presented to HMS Apollo in 1936 to commemorate her launch on 9 October 1934 (at time this destroyer was the seventh ship to carry the name HMS Apollo).

It is without doubt that Rugby 7's tournaments and festivals are evolving into attracting many spectators due to its high scoring exciting matches. Rugby 7's is now recognised as an Olympic sport and will make its debut in the 2016 Summer Olympics.

For additional information please contact Ady Cherrington, Royal Navy Rugby Development officer.

Mob: 07764 960395

Email: adycherrington@rfu.com