Leading independent global promoter, Ultimate Rugby Sevens (UR7s), has today announced the nine core specialist sevens teams set to compete in this summer’s inaugural National Sevens Series in the UK. These teams are:

• British Army
• Samurai International RFC
• The Smurfs
• H F W Kooga Wailers
• Gilbert Pups
• White Hart Marauders RFC
• RagingBull Ronin
• Apache
• Olorun ID

Specially selected for their success and heritage in UK sevens circles, the teams will be made up of top sevens talent. The National Sevens Series will take place in June and July 2010, with tournaments in London, Bath, Manchester and Newquay.

The nine core teams will be joined by three guest teams at each event, putting on a show featuring the very best sevens in the UK, as they play for tournament honours and the Series title.

“We are extremely proud to name these nine core teams for the inaugural National Sevens Series in the UK,” said Tim Lacey, CEO of Ultimate Rugby Sevens.

“A great deal of thought has gone into team selection, as it’s very important to Ultimate Rugby Sevens that we remain true to the heart of the sport. These ambitious and highly competitive teams embody the spirit of sevens.

They represent the dedicated sevens teams that have helped shape the game in the UK over the past 20 years and are widely credited for recognising and developing some of the world’s top rugby talent.”

The National Sevens Series concept has been designed to help bring structure and direction to the existing sevens community in the UK. The tournaments will be a festival experience, each with its own unique identity, mixing rugby, music and interactive entertainment into a unique combination set to appeal to both sports fans and families alike.

The National Sevens Series will headline each tournament, giving both recognised and emerging talent a stage on which to show showcase their raw pace, skill and agility. Hundreds of open-level men’s and women’s teams from across the UK are also expected to take part in the four tournaments, playing support matches around the main event.

Player registrations are now open. Announcements of player signings and final team line-ups will be made in due course. For further information, go to www.UR7s.com.

ABOUT THE TEAMS:

British Army:
With a rugby heritage stretching back more than 100 years, a player pool of over 50,000, cupboards full of international silverware and links to the England Sevens team, British Army is expected to storm the field in the inaugural National Series.

Samurai International RFC:
For over 15 years, Samurai has been one of the world’s best invitational teams. Credited with talent spotting household names such as Dave Strettle and regularly fielding the all-time IRB World Series record points scorer, Ben Gollings, Samurai International is a true National Series title contender in 2010.

The Smurfs:
The Smurfs hail from Wales and have seen World Cup winners such as Craig Hill play for them in the past. Expect to see a number of current and future Welsh sevens stars taking the field this year as they come over the River Severn to take the best silverware.

H F W Kooga Wailers:
The ambitious and successful Wailers team has been a recognisable name on the global sevens circuit for many years, with recent wins including the Roma Sevens. Expect a few surprises from the Wailers, as they try for the inaugural title.

Gilbert Pups:
The Pups have been touring Europe for the past decade, with success in Amsterdam and Rome. Renowned for spotting the best talent and now with Gilbert as a partner, the Pups are looking to become one of the world’s best sevens teams by taking the National Series.

White Hart Marauders RFC:
The Marauders will tell you they are simply ‘the world’s best pub team’. But a closer look will reveal a 30-year history on the global stage, past players including Will Carling and Laurence Dallaglio and a very loyal international fan base.

Raging Bull Ronin:
Celebrating a ‘Decade of Ronin’ in 2010 by joining forces with England legend Phil Vickery’s Raging Bull sportswear brand, Ronin will be fighting to add tournament titles and overall Series honours to their many international successes. .

Apache:
Named for the warrior-like, nomadic Apache, this team has competed all over the world, featuring many headline players, including Chris Cracknell. Featuring key players from all levels of sevens this year, Apache is on the warpath in 2010.

Olorun ID:
Olorun was born from an amalgamation of various south west sevens teams, to create an elite international touring side. Olorun believe in defence, in the fight and in freeflowing ball. Watch for style and substance from these boys.

Shall we shift forward a few months…

Twickenham in May, a week before the premiership final, Twickenham takes on a new façade and for a weekend as the sun beats down on South West London. Supporters of 16 Nations descend on Rugby Road and suddenly the stale autumnal colours are replaced with the colours of Kenya, Portugal, Canada, USA and the usual powers of world rugby. The London Sevens leg of the IRB World Sevens Series rolls into town and for two days Twickenham acts like no other time of the year with seats are cheap at only £10 per day, the old stadium is expecting 100,000 fans across the weekend supporting their flyers from around the globe.

The Sevens series is known for people enjoying a beer or two but London Sevens more than that, from groups of people dressed as animals, spacemen, and of course this year especially Superheroes it most definitely does not feel like the traditional outing at Twickenham. For one weekend of the year, the South Stand is akin to its famous sister in Hong Kong as the volume grows to a crescendo as the finals take place on the Sunday evening.

With tens of thousands of supporters from all around the globe taking in the rugby as one, sharing a beer and burger as friends of the game of rugby, dressed in fancy dress, singing local songs and enjoying speed of rugby that certainly hasn’t been seen at Twickenham for a good number of years in the 15s game.

For just one weekend of the year, forget what you think about Twickenham, don’t think of old committee members snacking on smoked salmon and sipping red wine in the west car park with range rovers, consider that the sun will be shining and the Olympic sport of Sevens takes the big stage in the worlds most famous rugby stadium and for 2 days take in noise, colour and of course the worlds best rugby sevens protagonists at the IRB London Sevens (May 22nd/23rd)

The Adelaide Oval dates back to the 1970s and has played host to 16 different sports in his time. It is one of the most famous and beautiful stadiums in world cricket and has witnessed many great games between Australia and England in Ashes. Whilst the ground is world renowned for its Cricket, it is well known within Oz for hosting many Australian Rules football games including many of the finals over the years. Sport is the main attractions for the crazed Australian fans but the Oval has seen lots of of the most famous acts in the world filling the seats with performers such as Michael Jackson, Elton John, Paul McCartney and ACDC to name but a few who have ‘rocked’ the oval.

As the IRB Sevens World Series tournaments begins to grow and gain a foothold in the local community more and more people will get the chance to see the very subtle, beautiful stadium which has played host to so many headliners in the past. With The Aussies becoming a force on the circuit this year, the home fans are in the unusual position of being able to cheer on a possible Cup winner in the Wallabies 7s team. Pat Mcuthcheon’s side have shown real class in making the last four in the USA last month and will hope to go at least one further in front of their home fans. The Australian team gets many cheering against them around the world in the eyes of fun, but this weekend will see the fans very much behind the team, which could be the push the players need to make the Final.

After the subtlety of the Oval, the noise, colour and sound will change vastly when the IRB Sevens World Series arrives in Hong Kong on the Friday night. A tournament that has built its reputation on the back of supporters experience will be a different experience for all the sides, none more so that the Australians who tend to take some grief from a crowd who has lots of English fans.

The HK 7sHong Kong Sevens is very much the benchmark on becoming a destination for supporters and players alike; it’s this ideology that has led the USA 7s moving to Las Vegas in an attempt to replicate the iconic atmosphere in Hong Kong Stadium.

A couple of very different tournaments, held in very different regards by spectators, players, coaches and media alike but with so many years difference in their maturity, it comes as no shock. For Adelaide, they are just beginning there 7s adventure which many in the city and organising committee hope will end up bringing the beauty and history of the Oval and mix it with the fun of Hong Kong to create Adelaide 7s as a destination in its own right.

With 16 top nations continuing to look for circuit points in the famous city of Las Vegas, the move to the most entertaining city in the world also brings with it the premier social rugby tournament in America; now billed as the Las Vegas Invitational; and a chance to become one of the most exhilarating legs on the IRB tour.

With the movement in Sevens continually heading upwards following the Olympic decision, the Las Vegas Sevens will break new boundaries beginning with this year’s LVI, replacing the previous San Diego Invitational for obvious reasons.

Tournament Director John Hinkin Highlighted the size of the growth of the SDI in past years thus creating a perfect platform for the LVI to take over the mantle at the Sam Boyd Stadium centre at the weekend. When the USA Sevens moved to San Diego in 2007 I was approached to come up with an event (SDI). With small amount of time we ended up with an eight-team Men’s 7s tournament and a six-team Women’s said Hinkin.

The next year we grew to 64 teams, and last year we had over 100 teams and 140 matches. This year we have added the CCS and with the move to Las Vegas we have noticed an uptick in International Club teams wanting to get involved.’

Along with all the same divisions as years past we added the Elite 7′s Division with teams from Fiji, England, Australia, France, Canada, Mexico and as well as all over the United Sates.

We will have 14 full fields with even more teams this year’s Inaugural CCS adding to the party. This will be the first year that the CCS will be incorporated into the schedule and it will be a fantastic addition for the spectators.

Although the last teams qualified back in November and the finals fall outside of the USA’s Sevens season, the eagerly anticipated competition will mark not only the rise of the USA leg on the IRB circuit, but also an enthralling Crescendo to what was a very successful USA Sevens home season.

Not only is the CCS going to play a big role in this year’s LVI, the International Invitational is also getting bigger, with more teams seeing this as a premier event they want to be a part of  again marking the potential the Las Vegas Sevens has to compete with the best legs on the circuit.

Massive opportunity for Sevens in Vegas

Not only is the Sevens set up beginning to look a lot like that of Dubai with many many teams participating in numerous different competitions, with both men, women and collegiate teams taking to the fields, there is a view to rival the 11 divisions at Dubai next year in Las Vegas. But where else on the World Series can we say the après rugby shenanigans match that of those on the pitch?

HK is infamous for its social side of course, but Las Vegas has the opportunity to mix it with the best, offering casinos and clubs to keep fans and players alike amused. Billed as the entertainment capital of the world, where else could players expect to have an opening party at the Hooters Hotel, where many of the teams will also be staying, and a closing party at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Las Vegas is a very interesting place, overall we have had a big interest gained worldwide. That has a bunch to do with Vegas being Vegas added Hinkin. But it is now time for the chatting to stop and for the Mecca of boxing to take the mantle and embrace the world that is Rugby Sevens’ but it is an opportunity that USA Sevens will be grabbing with both hands.

The Hurricane’s Westpac stadium, otherwise known as the ‘Cake Tin’, will once again host 16 teams chasing vital IRB Sevens World Series points.

At the Hong Kong Sevens, the South Stand has reached legend status over the years for its fun fuelled antics.  What the NZI Sevens prides itself on is the fact that the whole of the ‘Cake-Tin’ gets into the spirit with outrageous fancy dress, making it a firm favourite amongst the players who revel in the electrical atmosphere.

For all those Kiwi fans the timing of the tournament couldn’t have worked out much better. Gordon Tietjen’s men are currently flying high at the top of the overall log following victories at the first legs of the year in Dubai and George. Their success is built on superb defence combined with ruthless finishing.

Tietjens has described DJ Forbes, Zar Lawrence, Tomasi Cama, and Lote Raikabula as his four cornerstones and with the flying Sherwin Stowers, from Counties Manukau, carving up sides the ingredients seem to be in place for a ninth overall title.

It won’t be easy in Wellington though with the hosts being placed in the ‘Pool of Death’ along with South Africa, Wales, and Nieu. The Kiwis have usurped the Boks, the 08/09 IRB Sevens winners, as the team to beat currently. South Africa, missing a host of players to injury and unavailability, haven’t made it past a Cup Quarter-Final yet but coach Paul Treu is determined to change that in Wellington – beware the wounded Springbok.

Defending champions England stunned the ‘Cake-Tin’ last year with an incredible last minute win, coming back from 17-0 down in the final. The two met again in the last-eight in George before Christmas with the English this time throwing away a healthy lead in a seesaw battle.

Coach Ben Ryan feels they are on the cusp of something special and he has the players to spoil the Kiwis party again. England are joined in Pool C by Kenya who blew their Dubai cobwebs off with an assured performance in George, reaching the semi-finals. Kenya and England possess some of the quickest guys around and could make for an exciting spectacle when the sides meet towards the end of day 1.

Old foes Fiji have shown glimpses of their very best so far this term and are currently occupying the runner-up position. A little more consistency and a tightening up of errors should see them right in the mix with a talented and experienced squad. They meet the Aussies and Scots in Pool B and will also face Papua New Guinea, now under the stewardship of legendary Fijian maestro Waisale Serevi – interesting!

Dubai runners-up Samoa and Argentina’s Pumas will jostle each other to top Pool D. The Samoans are highly unpredictable but will relatively sharp thanks to their participation at Punta del Este and the Suva Rugby Festival in the lead up.

Argentina have surprised many pundits so far this season with their inexperienced and young side. A George semi-final gives them a huge confidence boost but do they have the belief to kick on and go up another level?

Canada, under Morgan William’s new regime and France, who have had a series to forget thus far, join the Pumas and Samoans to complete the Wellington line-up.

It wasn’t just the final of last year’s NZI Sevens that proved a rollercoaster. The whole tournament through up twists and turns aplenty with Wales beating New Zealand, USA beating Fiji, and Cook Islands beating Australia! Let’s hope for more of the same come February 5-6 2010.

2010 marks another huge year for Sevens and the Wellington Sevens couldn’t be a better platform to kick-off the fun and games. Dust off those costumes for the IRB Sevens’ most raucous party.

A tournament grows

1989 marked the birth of an official ‘Territory Sevens’ attracting quality Australasian clubs with the names of Duavata, Potoroos, Hong Kong, NZ Battalion, Sydney Uni and Randwick all appearing on the trophy. In 2004 it was felt the tournament needed to transform itself to realise its true potential as one of the ‘go-to’ southern hemisphere events on the circuit.

Inspired by Chief Executive Tim Heath, and the rest of the committee at the Northern Territory Rugby Union, the ‘Darwin Hottest Sevens’ was created. A partnership with the Friends of Rugby NT and the local community has helped Territory businesses to increasingly lend their support. Heineken have come on board as a sponsor, continuing their long standing relationship with rugby, giving it even more commercial impetus.
“We substantially increased the prize money in 2005 with teams coming from the Pacific, Asia, NSW, South Australia, Queensland, Africa along with the locals of Northern Territory,” said Heath.

“It’s important to make sure that club teams were still part of this great event and were given the opportunity to mix it with the best”.

The Northern Territory committed support for the next three years to the tune of $300,000. The event is now recognised as a NT Major Event, whilst the ABC TV cameras roll here too. With more exposure in rugby circles the event could start to attract rugby lovers from the northern-hemisphere.

Heath has high hopes for this year’s event (the weekend before Australia Day) with the tournament growing exponentially in the prize money stakes as team participation increases. This year also sees the small Pacific island nation of Guam – Continental Jets – make their debut at the event, highlighting the growing international representation.

“Guam saw this as a really good opportunity to come across and bring the team to an event that’s got some quality and they can get some experience from it.

“The quality of Men’s and Women’s teams and where they come from would have to suggest that it is one of the strongest tournaments outside the IRB World Series taking place in the southern Hemisphere. Also the prize money (AUD $20,000 for Cup winners) on offer is providing a strong attraction”.

World beaters

Arguably the quality of players that Heath has bought on board gives the event its real substance. Names such as Ryder, Serevi, Gollings, and Valence would get the rubber stamped sealed of approval for any rugby tournament going. International teams will make the journey to the ‘Top End’ often operating under the guise of established elite teams.

The tournament is proud of its global reach with teams and players travelling far and wide. ULR Samurai International is a prime example of this with young and old elite sevens specialists mixing from England, Australia, and New Zealand. Former Aussie sevens player Tim Walsh captains the side and is excited about the prospects of what is effectively an international barbarians side.

“This year we have recruited the current world’s best sevens player and Samurai veteran Ben Gollings of England. We also have twenty-time IRB tournament veteran from Australia Ant Sauer and 2008 Australian Schoolboy Kenny Robinson, many players have launched their international career through representing Samurai,” said Walsh.

In recent times the South Sea Drifters, jam-packed with Fijian Internationals have ruled the roost at Darwin Sevens picking up the winners cheque for the last three years. Under the stewardship of sevens deity Waisale Serevi, the Drifters use the event as key preparation for a hectic IRB World Sevens Series schedule.

Walsh is adamant the Drifters, although formidable opponents, are definitely not unbeatable in Darwin. “The beauty of the sport and particularly sevens is that just about anything can happen. We have seen the top sides tumble to far weaker sides throughout the IRB series.

“Every win brings you one closer to a loss! Samurai beat the South Sea Drifters in Dubai in November but I am sure they are out for revenge,” said Walsh.

As well as the Drifters, there are three other purely Fijian sides assembling at Darwin with former winners Davetalevu, Red Rock, Uprising Beach Resort all set to be a handful.

“The hot conditions in Darwin are similar to that on the island; the defending champs certainly deserve their favourites title.

“There are many great teams attending this tournament and I think anyone of about four teams can knock them off.”

The Aussie Spirit side, coached by national coach, Michael O’Conner, will also be looking to impress on home soil and have included some of the hottest prospects on the circuit. Richard Kingi is one of these, with his electric feet, has set tongues wagging on the IRB World Series circuit.

“Luke Morahan is quick and never stops working, and don’t forget Damon Murphy a veteran Australian sevens player forcing his way back into the team for the World Cup,” added Walsh.

More than a rugby experience

Buying into the philosophy of the modern-day international sevens tournament, Heath and his cohorts have made sure that there is a fiesta feel for the expected 10,000 fans.

“It’s a typical carnival 7s atmosphere with good music, festive activity, food stalls, beverage stands, fancy-dress prizes, and a sold out Rugby luncheon on the Friday”

The opportunity to play at night in strength sapping conditions is an ultimate test for a sevens player, but Darwin’s friendly and rugby loving Territorians are never short in their appreciation.

“The harsh, hot and dry conditions, the big crowds and the floodlit entertainment provides a sevens event to be truly remembered,” said Tim Walsh.

On the back of the recent hit movie ‘Australia’, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, and the ‘Where the bloody hell are you?’ campaign it seems tourism is the buzz word in the land down under. With the Northern Territory reaching out for some exposure, events like the Hottest 7s can only be beneficial in helping to reach out globally.

“Rugby is increasingly a sport with global appeal that is attracting significant audiences in the established rugby playing countries as well as the emerging new ones,” Commented Fleur Burrows, Niche Marketing Manager at Tourism NT.

Perhaps suffering from the reputation as a remote city, Darwin actually considers itself as ‘The Gateway to Asia’ being nearer to Jakarta then Sydney. The notorious “strip and prawn” bars and beer swelling reputation has been replaced by a region full of cultural diversity, a chilled out young buzz that integrates with the locals.

“Over two days the city buzzes with excitement and once the action on pitch is over fans can relax in this vibrant harbour city where the focus is on the outdoors – movie-going, sailing, markets and dining in the city’s fantastic restaurants,” added Burrows.

‘Cage of Death – Crocosaurus Cove’ is certainly causing a stir proving popular with adrenaline junkies snapping up the opportunity to stand toe to toe to with a saltwater croc – ‘Choppa’. If you’re not a thrill seeker how about a soothing swim in the waterholes of Litchfield National Park. Wander through the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets or what about some quality fishing in waters that bubble with mangrove jack and mullet. The fiery tropical sun of the north paves for a dramatic finale each evening – perfect with a coldie in hand.

The Heineken Hottest Sevens has found itself to be a truly unique experience that Tim Heath believes to the perfect addition to a rugby lover’s CV.

“This really is an international tournament in one of the more beautiful, remote and friendly locations of the world.”

Just watch out for ‘Choppa’ the croc….

We are but weeks away from the Dubai Sevens, the official start of the 11th IRB Sevens World Series. This season looks like it will have an unprecedented amount of international interest for this coming season.

It has been widely discussed that with only three sides ever having won the series (New Zealand, Fiji, South Africa) that perhaps at the highest level its can be slightly predictable, bar the usual once-a-tournament shock.

Although these upsets are widely credited as aiding the sport’s Olympic status, often the teams creating the shocks, such as Kenya, USA, Wales, Scotland and in some cases even the Cook Islands, have been unable to continue their form throughout the tournament. This particularly makes it difficult for these sides to make an impact on the overall standings.

With further financial help coming from Olympic associations and governments it is hoped that the landscape can change over the coming years, before the Sevens festival descends on Brazil and Rio in 2016! I am pretty sure that it’s going to be this year that we see such building blocks begin to fall into place.

It’s difficult to label any team a strong favourite for the 2009/10 Sevens World Series title.

Yes, South Africa with their full-time squad will be as strong as ever. Yes, New Zealand will want to make amends for what they feel was a failure of last year. Then there is obviously Fiji and England, who will always be strong.

But if you take a closer look, the World Series is certainly not about the ‘top 4′ – a phrase often penned by English football writers. Argentina feature some of the most experience 7s players in the world, they deservedly won in San Diego last season whilst also coming runners-up in the RWC in Dubai. Kenya feature a number of the modern sevens superstars in Humphrey Kayange and Collins Injera and with the support of Virgin Atlantic they have put the structures in place that it’s no longer a shock to see these guys win. It is now a case of a when and where, and I can guarantee that their fans will party it up to the max in city that finally sees them get over the line for a Cup win.

The USA Eagles are a strange one. They have threatened for a couple of seasons but have almost failed to realise their potential. Even before the Olympic decision it can be argued that the 7s game is most developed in the US with the structures in place for elite player development through a number of training camps with coach Al Caravelli. A luxury not always afforded to many of his rivals.

With a young US squad learning the ropes post RWC Dubai at the latter end of last season; they are now ready to make more of an impact in the latter stages of the tournament, of course only time will tell.

Watch out for the likes of World Champions Wales and Celtic rivals Scotland, who are both looking like they are going to have consistency in squad selection this coming season, making them dangerous.

Before we have even started we can name seven teams who can beat one another on any given day, that of course is without even mentioning Samoa and Australia.

The latter have discussed that 7s is becoming more a priority over the coming years and considering we are entering into a Commonwealth Games year, I am sure this will be the case. So with 9 teams in the mix, and only 8 spots in the quarters up for grabs each tournament it’s going to a cracker.

Dubai Sevens and George Sevens are firmly on horizon, and now we have a new venue to look forward to in Las Vegas for the USA Sevens! Combine that with the usual Hong Kongs and Wellingtons of this world and its surely going to be a celebration of 7s for the coming six months.

Olympic inclusion has upped the ante for this global phenomenon that sees teams from every corner of the world battle for 14 minutes on a level playing field. Let’s get this party started.

This is undoubtedly great news and an achievement in itself, however there is another mountain standing in the way of Olympic Rugby. In order to scale the next mountain rugby sevens has to secure in excess of 50% of the vote from the 106 delegates when they vote in October.

If the IRB are successful in achieving their goal of reinstating rugby into the Olympics the impact on the game of rugby sevens will be tremendous. Here are my predictions was to what might happen.

• Full time professional players, who play very little 15s

• A professional 7s league • USA and China to become major players

• Increased financial investment

• Government involvement along side governing bodies • More kids playing

• 15’s to filter out in some countries to focus on 7s (e.g. Uganda, Cook islands etc.)

I am fully aware that I am bias towards rugby sevens’ inclusion in the Olympics; however I really can’t see any negatives. I would be interested to hear if anyone has any?

Remember if you haven’t already – play your part and sign the petition to help make Olympic Rugby a reality.

The primary reason for the added scrutiny is due to the standing of a number of the sports vying for a place in 2016. It has been said that golf, rugby sevens and baseball are not traditional Olympic sports, but for that very reason it is undeniable that they have had a major impact on the world sporting landscape today.

Golf has created some of the most incredible sporting stories, sports men and women, and riches beyond most people’s dreams. From an 18-year-old American amateur Francis Ouimet caddied by an even younger 13-year-old Eddie Lowery defeated the great British professional Harry Vardon at the 1913 US Open to the richest sportsman on the planet today, Tiger Woods, golf has many virtues that the IOC should consider ‘Olympic’ whilst making its decision.

Although the professional nature of the PGA and European tours may not sit comfortably with the traditions of the Olympics, when you consider the importance of the British and US Amateur Championships and the Walker Cup competed for by amateurs either side of the pond, the proponents of the game of sticks do have an argument that is worth consideration.

Baseball, ‘America’s favourite pastime’, played from April through September with every side playing 164 regular season games and average crowds being around the 25,000 mark, even with 82 home games, the popularity of the sport cannot be questioned. The game is just as popular (to scale) in other continents such as Asia or South America and the argument that the game is not global can be countered – though never silenced.

The history of the sport goes hand in hand with the 20^th century history of America from when the Boston Red Sox believed until 2004 that they were cursed by the ‘bambino’ for the sale of their hero Babe Ruth to their greatest adversaries the New York Yankees to only last year the Tampa Bay Rays going from perennial losers to World Series runners up. The game creates summer drama year on year but does this make it an Olympic sport?

Then we come to Rugby, which in its traditional sense faces some of the similar arguments faced by that of Baseball. When most of the world thinks of rugby they think of scrums, rucks, and mauls – big men taking the field for organised fighting to the uneducated eye. When considering rugby though, there is a fundamental difference between the game with the odd shaped ball over that of Baseball and Golf and that is because it has adapted in a changing sporting world.

Not that we can credit the administrators of the game with the notion that they adapted with the idea of Olympic inclusion in mind, but as this became a possibility they realised that by nurturing the game this could well be achieved.

Though it is not this game knocking on the door in Laussanne. The game that has people sitting up and taking notice is the game of Rugby 7s and this game does not face the same arguments that Golf and Baseball face. The sport is truly global at the elite level. Nations compete eight times a year in the IRB World Series and winners have come from Europe, South America, South Pacific Islands, Africa and this does not do justice to the teams also competing for titles down the stretch that are yet to get over the final hump. Kenya have yet to qualify for a 15 a-side World Cup yet are feared throughout the world as one of the top 7s nations. America considered by many as a team with very little rugby success, have caused upset after upset on the 7s field – the only difference being on the 7s field these are not considered upsets.

In what other sport could winners of global competitions read like this: England, South Africa, France, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Argentina, Wales and if one is to consider that each of the listed teams have lost to other nations such as Portugal, Kenya, Cook Islands and Canada who in turn have lost to nations such as Hong Kong, UAE, Tonga, Russia and Spain it is instantly recognisable that this sport is not like its traditional, conservative older brother but one of a new age.

Stadiums are full, music loud and spectators of every creed and every colour party and cheer as one for the love of their nations, but primarily for the love of the game.

Every single year millions of people will crowd round TV sets to see if Tiger sinks his putt on the 18^th to win at Augusta in April. Likewise in October to see if Alex Rodriguez and his New York Yankee millionaire team mates will win the World Series. But how many of these millions will be in beach bars in the pacific or club houses on Ngong Road in Nairobi? Though these sports have huge relevance to the professional sporting landscape and have broken down many barriers with regards to their consideration as non-global or elitist, neither can even be spoken of with regards to global relevance as Rugby 7s.

The Rugby World Cup can be put in the same bracket as Golf and Baseball without an argument; it’s the third biggest sporting event behind the football world cup and of course the Olympics. This is the 21^st century though and the game of rugby has evolved for different palette, one which has broken down all traditional barriers, with one more to go. If and when the IOC announce Rugby 7s as a member sport for the 2016 games it will be seen as finally having arrived. The truth of the matter is though, Rugby 7s has already arrived – just ask anyone on the street in Asia, Europe, Africa, Americas, Australasia, oh hang on that just about everywhere.

1924; the booming 20s were well underway. St Petersburg, Russia had its named changed to Leningrad, a US presidential address was aired on the radio for the first time and the first ‘thanksgiving’ parade in New York took place. 1924 and the 20s in general were times of firsts, World War I was behind people and the world looked forward to a prosperous future. Well with the beauty of hindsight we can see that 1924 also was a ‘last’ for something. 1924, 2 generations ago was the last time that Rugby took part in the Olympics.

The ‘Chariots of Fire’ games took place in Paris, France and the United States of America won Olympic Gold defeating the home nation 17-3 in the final. 83 years later Rugby once again stands on the precipice of being welcomed back into what most of the world considers sporting immortality, the Olympic Games.

After an unsuccessful bid for entry into the 2012 games, Rugby is at the forefront of applicants for entry into the 2016 games. For the International Rugby Board the application process is nearly over, they have presented their case and decision of Olympic Rugby now firmly rests in the hands of the IOC and its members.

Of course this time it’s a different form of rugby to that of the one that took place in Paris many moons ago; Rugby Sevens, the 7-a-side modified form of the game is the game looking for entrance. It has proven in recent times that its global appeal at an elite level reaches much further than that of its older brother the 15 a-side game and this has become part of the argument for its inclusion into the 4 yearly sporting jamboree.

After completing the proposal and presentation to the IOC, Mr Bernard Lapasset who has led the bid on behalf of the IOC as Chairman said “Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai showed that the so-called smaller sporting nations can compete with the biggest in the world. Countries like Kenya, Zimbabwe, Samoa, Tonga, and Uruguay proved they are capable of beating the best. Playing Rugby at an Olympic Games would offer these countries a real chance of medals and a further opportunity to be part of the global sporting family.”

Mr Lapasset hits on a very strong point, none of the above sides have a realistic chance of medalling if the 15s game was the chosen sport and in many cases other team sports but Rugby Sevens. With only 14 minutes, 7 men and whole lot of running, passing, hitting and did I mention running, all of these nations have a chance of taking home a medal for their country.