Rugby Sevens’ profile has never been higher, with the World Rugby Sevens World Series attracting crowds in the tens of thousands across the globe and the sport joining the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in the summer of 2016.
But for an elite level sport to succeed it also needs an effective and prospering grass roots movement, which is where the Elite Insurance Sevens Series comes in, encouraging the development of Rugby Sevens at Under-13 level in clubs and schools across the East of England.
Organised by Aviva Premiership champions Northampton Saints, the Elite Insurance Schools Sevens sees teams compete in their closest regional tournament – Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes – with the winners and runners-up heading to Franklin’s Gardens for Finals Day towards the end of the season.
In 2014 over 40 schools took part across five counties, and Elite Insurance Sevens Series organiser Will Parkin says that he is expecting that number to increase in 2015.
“We’ve had a fantastic response to the Elite Insurance Schools Sevens this season,” he said. “Last season’s tournament was much bigger than 2013, and already it looks like there will be more teams taking part in 2015.
“We’ve added a sixth regional tournament to the calendar for schools in Milton Keynes and the surrounding area, and are getting dates for coaching sessions into the diary already.
“It’s going to be an exciting few weeks and months!”
The Elite Insurance Schools Sevens regional tournaments will take place in mid-April, with precise dates and locations to be announced in early 2015. Finals Day will be held at Franklin’s Gardens in late April.
Coaching sessions have been increasingly popular over the past few years, so early booking is recommended.
For more information about the Elite Insurance Sevens Series, to book coaching sessions or register your school or club in the tournament, email Will Parkin at [email protected]
One of the Saints’ Elite Sponsors, Elite Insurance is dedicated to supporting youth rugby in the Eastern Counties and East Midlands. The Elite Insurance Sevens Series gives Under-13 players the opportunity to play a new Olympic sport, with separate tournaments for clubs and schools.
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The Elite Insurance Sevens Series is the latest in the wide range of age group tournaments organised by Northampton Saints. Over the course of a season thousands of young rugby players in age groups ranging from Under-7s to Under-16s descend on Franklin’s Gardens on first team match days, with trophies and medals handed out on the main pitch during the half-time interval of that day’s Saints game.
CLICK HERE for the full calendar of tournaments in 2014/15.
