The Mudgee Sevens competition kicks off for its 27th year at Glen Willow this Saturday, and teams that thought they’ve missed the boat have been reminded that nominations are still being taken.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The competition this year is the PJL Constructions Mudgee Sevens with the local business coming on board as sponsors.
Mudgee Sevens coordinator Jonno Shields said that it’s become a fixture on players’ calendars, with many returning teams locally and across the state.
“It’s been going since 1988 but in the last few years we’ve really seen a rise in the number of sides travelling from Sydney and further afield to compete,” he said.
“And it’s become an important part of their calendar.
“We’ve got Manly who won the comp in 2013 coming back, as well as Deadwood who have been coming out for a long time, and Ozboks who were another pretty competitive side last year are also returning and entering a women’s side as well.
“Plus we’ve got a number of local sides that have been entering a number of years.
“So we’ve got a good mix of the more professional and representative sides that do the sevens circuit and chase the prize money, along with the more social/local sides and other rugby clubs that make an end of season trip out of it.”
The competition has been slightly affected by the ‘Nick Tooth Memorial Rugby Tens’ tournament being played on the same weekend to honour the Quirindi player who died in April after sustaining head injuries in a match in April.
"You get not only guys that no longer play but also guys that don’t normally play rugby at all enter a side."
- Mudgee Sevens coordinator Jonno Shields
Last year’s winners, the All 10 Turtles from Sydney, won’t be returning to Mudgee to defend their trophy as they will be playing the same day at the memorial tournament in the state’s north.
As a result there are still places available for teams thinking of joining.
“We’ve still got a few places to fill in both the men’s and women’s draws so we’ve kept nominations open for the time being, so there are still opportunities for teams if they’re keen,” he said.
Nomination forms are available on the Wombats’ website at mudgeerugby.hwy.com.au/rugby-sevens
He added that the format means that players of all skill levels have the chance for a run.
“You get not only guys that no longer play but also guys that don’t normally play rugby at all enter a side. They still come along and have a good day,” Shields said.
“And the way the competition is structured, once they’ve played their pool rounds [in pools of three] they’re graded and the teams at the top of the pool go on to play for the Oriental Cup, the middle tier play in the Shield competition and bottom sides play for the Plate.
“So once they’ve progressed past the pool stage they’re all playing teams of fairly equal strength and competitiveness.”
There is a total of $12,000 of prize money on offer.
The Oriental Cup is for $6000, with the runners-up collecting $3000, $1000 will go to the Shield winner and $500 for the runners-up, $250 for the Plate winner and $100 for the runners-up.
The women’s winners will pick up $750 and the runners-up will collect $250.
“Sevens Rugby has become quite popular in it’s own right – it’s now an Olympic sport – and it’s really starting to get some professionalism to it and to attract high quality teams you offer a bit of prize money,” Shields said.
“But all the way through the competition it’s good extra motivation for the players.”
