Everyone loves a good game of sevens rugby, it’s the fastest and most entertaining of all the rugby disciplines. It brings with it a festival of entertainment on both the elite and grassroots stages, with various competitions held all around the world.
In the recent Howden Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens, Alfie from Shebbear College pulled off the most audacious heel flick over the opposition defence before flying over the tryline.
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According to their website, the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens is the world’s largest rugby tournament with over 14,000 boys and girls aged 11 – 18 competing annually. Originating in 1939, it has been held every year since, becoming one of the oldest continuous tournaments.
“Originally it was a knock-out competition for public schools but as interest grew it was extended to include grammar, comprehensive and preparatory schools” their website continued. “The format was also changed into pool groups so that no “junior” school played fewer than three matches and no “senior” school fewer then four.
“Almost all the founding 16 schools compete to this day and, although it remains an invitation event, no eligible school would be refused entry upon application. In March 1997, a new competition was introduced for the U16s and it has been the policy during the past few years to invite schools from overseas who may be touring the UK to play in the tournament.
“Each year the number of schools applying increases. In 1998 the first girls (U18) competition was inaugurated, and a popular inclusion last year was a sevens match between the Old Boys RFCs of Ampleforth and Millfield, who between them have won the senior tournaments a staggering 16 times.
“A significant number of current and recent England internationals tasted competitive rugby for the first time at the tournament, and eight of the England squad who were victorious at the 1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens at Murrayfield had played for their schools at Rosslyn Park. Many senior rugby coaches and captains of industry in the UK have played in the tournament.”
Newman Rugby Academy won the 2024 U18 Girls Cup, whilst Millfield School took the he 2024 U18 Boys Cup. A true festival of rugby, the schools sevens saw a host of famous faces turn up for the event, with former England Rugby captain Martin Johnson calling it a “great day“. Former England football player Jamie Redknapp also paid homage to the amount of “great talent” on display.
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