Plans for rugby tournament take shape

JJ Motors 10s to take centre stage on January 30

THE inaugural JJ Motors OC Rugby 10s, scheduled to be played at the Thobi Kula Indoor Sports Ccentre on January 30, is picking up pace.

The tourney is a first for Queenstown with great promise for the future.

JJ Motors have stepped in as the major sponsor for this community initiative for the next three years, heightening hopes that rugby 10s will become a massive event in Queen- stown and surrounding areas.

Teams have been finalised, with six per demarcated area taking part. Aloe Ventures represent Aloevale, Lower Newvale and Mlungisi while the Victoria Park Scorpions represent lower Victoria Park. The Victoria Vipers represent Upper Victoria Park and City Samurai the greater town suburbs and the army base. SPN Spartans will run on for Sabata, Popcorn Valley and Upper Newvale while the New Rest Red Devils will hold high the hopes of the New Rest community. Teams will play in a round-robin format with the draw set to take place on January 23. A points system will determine which teams go through after the first round to the knock-out stages. As a bonus, Afri- can Legends from King William’s Town will come to play against a combined Queenstown Veterans side as a curtain raiser to the finale. The tournament promises a carnival atmosphere for young and old. Teams have acquired the services of both active players and those who have long stopped playing the game. Its intention is to bring the communities of Queenstown together in a social way to create cohesion between communities and rugby clubs. There will be action galore on the field of play with the Queenstown Referees’ Society also supporting the initiative. Food stalls, jumping castles and live music will entertain all at the festivities.

This promises to be a mega event set to bring the community of Queenstown together as they cheer for their various neighbourhood teams.