The pools and schedule have been announced for the looming UON Central Coast Sevens with Australia’s Golden Girls, Olympic Gold Medal Champions the Aussie Pearls set to kick off the tournament in a blockbuster first up match against the New Zealand Wasps.
Fresh from their Gold Medal victory and some well earned time off the team are back to business in readiness for the start of the 2016/17 World Series with the UON Central Coast Sevens the launching pad to run into form and fitness in preparation for the first leg of the world-series in Dubai in December. The World, Olympic & defending Central Coast Champions will feature two teams Aussie Pearls Gold and Aussie Pearls Green and will be joined by the Australian National Men’s 7s team who return to defend their 2015 title and steel themselves for the start of the men’s world-series.
A powerhouse line-up of teams are set to decend on the Central Coast with international sides from Fiji, Tonga, Japan and New Zealand set to contest what has been labelled as one of the toughest invitational tournaments in the world. An exciting contingent of at least seven Fijian teams are anticipated to light up the tournament with their thrill a minute style of play. Several of Fiji’s World and Olympic Champion national side are set to feature across the teams competing at the tournament including captain Osea Kolinasau, Apisai Domolailai, Jerry Tuwai and Jasa Veremalua to name a few.
The Japanese women’s national team will make their debut at the tournament alongside Tonga’s National Men’s 7s Champion Toloa Old Boys who will feature alongside teams such as the ACT Brumbies in the men’s division.
Rugby Sevens has gained a massive spike in popularity since the Rio Games and is now one of the fastest growing team sports in the world with the UON Central Coast Sevens set to thrill over the weekend of 21st-23rd October at Wyong Rugby League Club.
The tournament will kick off on Friday 21st October with an under 17’s youth boys and girls tournament featuring international teams from Fiji and New Zealand alongside club, schools and state level representative sides with the NSW 7s and ACT Brumbies preparing for the National Titles later this year before the international men’s and women’s tournaments take centre stage on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd October.
With over 100 matches of end to end action, speed, big hits and fast and furious tries with some of the best players in the world competing there will be plenty of on-field action all surrounded by a vibrant sideline family festival with food stalls, music and activities for the kids with face painting and amusements to make for a highly entertaining family weekend.
Prior to the tournament the Nabua Broncos Under 17s Boys team will visit The Glen Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre at Chittaway Bay to undertake a cultural exchange and the Olympic Champion Aussie Pearls will be special guests of honour at a three course “NIght of Gold” dinner hosted by Gosford RSL on Thursday 20th October with tickets available by contacting Gosford RSL on 4323 8305.
The tournament is offering free (online only) tickets for children aged up to 14 years of age.
For information on the teams, tickets and full tournament schedule visit the tournament website www.centralcoastsevens.com.au
Men’s & Women’s Tournament Schedule
