Generating a touch of enthusiasm

THE growth of touch sevens on the Gold Coast is being touted as a way to boost participation in Rugby Sevens or the 15-a-side codes.

Queensland Rugby Union Gold Coast development officer Henry Bradford said the non-contact form, previously known as Viva Sevens, had been a hit with schools.

“We have been into schools such as Miami, Keebra, Southport State High School, Musgrave Hill and Livingstone College,” Bradford said.

“A lot of these schools are now trying to set up female sevens excellence centres and generate some more interest.

“We go to a lot of schools and develop the touch sevens program, which is for five weeks; you learn all of the basics like pass, catch, attack, defence, kicking, what happens after you have been tagged because you can either place the ball or offload.

“It’s a lot faster than touch football or TRL (touch rugby league) and it gets you thinking outside the box.

“The schools have really been enjoying it and after the first year they have been wanting to get straight into Rugby Sevens, which is what we want to see.

“For that person who would then like to step into the world of Rugby Sevens, it just gives them a good platform.”

The touch sevens progress complements the running of the inaugural Gold Coast District Rugby Super Schools Cup this year, which saw a stack of public school teens try their hand at union for the first time.