Parramatta and West Harbour will kick-off the inaugural Sydney Premier 7s
at 6pm at Merrylands RSL Oval this Tuesday – Photo: seiserphotography.com

by Paul Cook –

The game of Sevens is at fever pitch throughout Australia at the moment and NSWRU are pleased to announce the inaugural Sydney Premier 7s which will take place over three nights across the next two weeks and feature all 12 Sydney Rugby Union teams in both men’s and women’s competitions.

With the Australian Sevens side beginning their IRB World Series challenge with a gallant second place at the opening round on the Gold Coast this weekend, the shortened format of the game is gaining an ever increasing foothold in the public’s imagination.

The sport will take it’s bow in the 2016 Olympics in Rio and interest levels have never been higher amongst both players and supporters alike and the Sydney Premier 7s will give club rugby fans and rugby followers in general the chance to witness the burgeoning game in their own backyard across three different locations.

With the qualifying draw split into three groups, Merrylands RSL Oval sees the first batch of hopefuls compete this Tuesday night (15th) from 6pm onwards as hometown favourites Parramatta take on local rivals Penrith, Eastwood and West Harbour in the mens’ competition while the Two Blues women’s side will compete against West Harbour and Hunter for a place in the following week’s finals.

On Thursday 17th, Rat Park in Pittwater will host Warringah, Gordon, Manly and Northern Suburbs in both the men’s and women’s competitions while at the same time down at Forshaw Park in Sylvania, Southern Districts entertain Randwick, Eastern Suburbs and Sydney University in the men’s competition while their women will battle it out with Sydney University, Rockdale and Maroubra respectively.

Played on a round-robin basis with 3pts for a win, 2pts for a draw and 1pt for a loss, the top two men’s teams at the end of each night’s qualifiers will go through to compete in a six team finals night the following week while the top women’s team in each pool will proceed to the three team finals evening. Both finals series will take place at Forshaw Park on Thursday 24th October from 6pm onwards.

Entry to all venues is FREE so bring the family along for an evening or two of fast flowing rugby with thrills, spills and plenty of tries.

Here’s the complete qualifying draw: