Festival fever at Middlesex 7s
Middlesex Rugby’s flagship event is shaping up to be the best yet!
The Middlesex 7s Festival is returning to Richmond Athletic Ground on Saturday May 5 – and this year it promises to be bigger and better than ever.
More than 60 teams are expected to compete for the big cash prizes on offer in the men’s, women’s and student competitions at every level of the game from serious to social, and this year’s new competition format means that there will be more rugby for every team, and less waiting time between games.
The festival will also host the regional qualifiers of the RFU Secure Trading 24/7s, an elite competition for club or open teams, meaning that teams such as those competing at Summer Social 7s or Bournemouth 7s are now eligible to participate in the legendary Middlesex 7s. The winners will qualify for the 24/Sevens regional finals.
The organisers have promised that this year, the Middlesex 7s Festival will be the best yet, with the festival village – a new feature of the event – offering a variety of street food, local craft ales, London gin, Somerset cider and music from the Radio Jackie roadshow, whilst interactive games such as wellie wanging, rugby sling-shot or O2 touch rugby taster session.
Even the younger members of the family can participate in Tots rugby sessions.
The 7s Festival is now Middlesex Rugby’s flagship event, attracting teams from across the South East. Launched as the Middlesex Club 7s at Harlequins in 2000, the competition originally ran qualifying rounds across the county in the preceding weeks. It moved to Richmond in 2002 where, aptly, seven competitions were played simultaneously across seven pitches. Each year the format has grown to accommodate first students and women’s sevens, then Merit Table sevens. The addition last year of the open competition, along with Touch Rugby, widened the appeal still further.
Festival chairman David Gershlick is keen to point out that while the traditional club teams are still at the core of the competition, the festival is evolving. “Sevens rugby forms part of the RFU’s strategy to develop community rugby in all its formats, and we’re delighted to be playing our own part in growing the game,” he explains. “But the new format of the Middlesex 7s Festival offers a lot more than just great rugby. It’s a great day out for all the family.”
The closing date for team entries is 16th April. To enter a team visit www.middlesex7s.com/enter
Tickets are available in advance at £5.00: www.middlesex7s.com/tickets, children under 14 go free.