Rugby a hit across Schools as potential Pathway to Gold

Students across Sydney are embracing the newest Olympic Sport, Rugby Sevens, with several Schools hosting Rugby Sevens Gala Days in the coming weeks.

The Sydney North Boys Under 14 and Under 16 Rugby Sevens Gala Day was held yesterday at Hassell Park in St Ives.

Seven local schools drawn from the North Sydney area competed in two divisions, including St Leo’s Catholic College, Davidson High School, Hunters Hill High School, St Paul’s Catholic College, Chatswood High School, Killarney Heights High School and Barrenjoey High School.

The seven teams in the Under 14 division and five teams within the Under 16 division played a modified version of Rugby Sevens in a round robin format.

St Paul’s Catholic College in Manly made it through to win the Under 14s division, with Davidson High School the runner up.

Davidson High School were also the runners up of the Under 16 division, which was won by Hunters Hill High School.

Hundreds also turned out for this week’s Sydney North Girls Under 14 and Under 16 Rugby Tag Gala Day on Tuesday at St Aloysius College Oval in Willoughby.

Six schools from Sydney’s North participated on the day, including Cheltenham Girls High School, Loreto Normanhurst, Mackellar Girls, Cromer High School, Riverside Girls High School and Barrenjoey High School.

The schools were able to register several Under 14 or Under 16 age teams to play Rugby Sevens-style tag games at the Gala Day, which included a presentation about the Road to the Olympic Games in Rio, inspiring the girls in attendance.

The girls then honed their skills with personalised training sessions run by Australian Rugby Union Development staff before playing in a round-robin format competition with each team playing three games before the final matches.

Mackellar Girls 1 won the final against Cromer High School in the Under 14 division with Loreto Normanhurst 1 beating Loreto Normanhurst 2 in the Under 16 division.

The Gala Days provide a great opportunity for schools to participate in a premier organised Rugby tournament and to develop the student’s Rugby Sevens skills.

Rugby Sevens is a fun, exciting and easy to learn game for new comers to Rugby.

Since the conclusion of the London Olympics, Rugby Sevens has officially joined the Olympic family, with the high energy game set to make its debut at the 2013 Rio de Janeiro Games.

Participation at the gala days allows student’s to further their opportunities in the game of Rugby Sevens and potentially get themselves on the pathway to gold.

Next week Rugby Sevens Gala Days will be held for Primary School teams in the North Sydney area. Details are listed below.

Warringah Rugby Sevens Gala Day
Date: Tuesday, 11th September
Time: 9.00am – 3.00pm
Venue: North Narrabeen Reserve, Walsh St, North Narrabeen

Gordon Rugby Sevens Gala Day
Date: Thursday, 13th September
Time: 9.00am – 3.00pm
Venue: Cliff Oval, Cliff Ave, Wahroonga