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Rugby Sevens is perhaps the ultimate display of rugby. It is an exciting, fast paced and less attritional version of the full game and requires just 7 players to form a team and they play two seven minute periods. It is now an Olympic Sport and it has been a Commonwealth sport for some time. Teams like Samoa, India, Namibia and other lower ranked rugby countries have the opportunity to mix it with the Kiwis and the Aussies. Rugby sevens is set to grow, and one day will probably outstrip fifteens.
The Whitney Sevens revival started with the Somersfield Sevens in December 2010 and the second leg was held on March 10th at Sandy’s Secondary School thanks to the drive and efforts of Chris Naylor, and the support from Dr. Jackson and his team at Sandy’s. This was the first time they hosted a schools rugby tournament and they did a wonderful job.
Chris started his rugby career at the ripe old age of 11 playing for Trojans RFC, Southampton, England. He has played for his county, captained Teachers Rugby Club, played for Bermuda from 2003-2010 including captain in 2006, is a qualified coach and is still playing the game 27 year later! But if you ask Chris what’s the best part about the game he would admit it’s introducing the game to many young Bermudians especially his kids at Sandy’s Secondary School. Many have had the honor of wearing the Bermuda jersey over the years including Shauntino Simons and Kai Edwards who are current Bermuda senior Internationals.
The Sevens tournament had participation from the following schools at two age groups (U12, U14) – Sandy’s, Saltus, Warwick, Somersfield/Whitney Institute. The event was well attended by parents, friends, students, coaches and school teachers and the core values of rugby union (teamwork, discipline, enjoyment, respect and sportsmanship) were on display throughout the tournament. The games were both competitive and played in a good spirit with all players taking pride in representing their schools. Schools Sevens are now established on the schools calendar and the hope is that it gets expanded next year.
The many notable memories of the day include…
- The first rugby competition for a number of the Whitney Institute boys at the U14 age group level. They played with a lot of heart and a skill which was remarkable given it was their first outing. Hope to see them more regularly at training.
- Warwick, coached by Keith Hodgkins, made their entry into the sevens tournament arena and won the U12 tournament after a great tussle with Somersfield with a try in the last play of regulation time to tie the game and winning in extra time with a great team try.
- Sandy’s U14 which always field two strong teams won again after coming from behind late in the final against Somersfield and came through in extra time.
- Great support from the Sandy’s school throughout the tournament
- Referees for the day were Chris Naylor and Keith Hodgkins – thank you!
- The games were fast and furious and played with a lot of commitment and special thank to Sue Crofts who became the on-site medic on her birthday!
- Saltus, one of the strongholds of Bermuda rugby impressed everyone with their team’s performance and input from coach Phil Heap.
- Somersfield/Whitney coached by Dave Crofts and Patrick Topley had a great turnout with 30 kids playing the tournament
- Ollie McKittrick, original founder of the Whitney Sevens 40 years ago, was in attendance to see his grandson Sam contribute to Warwick’s come from behind victory at U12
- Overall, a beautiful Bermuda day in Sandy’s and a very entertaining and exciting day of rugby and thank you to Sandy’s for hosting a great event
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