USA 7s LLC Backs Championship Series
Wednesday Jun 10, 2009 in Elite Level Rugby USA 7s
(NY 7s part of the series. Ed Hagerty photo.)
June 9, 2009 – With June having sneaked in somehow under the radar, it’s time to look ahead to a summer of 7s tournaments.
This year, the stakes are a little higher in some events, as USA 7s LLC has financed prize money for a series of tournaments around the country – the Championship Cup Series.
“One of the important things we need to do is develop 7s around the country, and provide more high-level content for sponsors and television,” said Ray Peterson, director of the USA 7s tournament. “The USA 7s has been successful in getting on network TV, but it is one weekend. We want to build on that.”
Each summer sees over 100 tournaments going on around the USA. Peterson said his group wanted to help a few start to build interest, and the overall quality of the tournaments, with the idea towards having them be attractive to television in the coming years.
This summer, USA 7s has backed the following tournaments:
June 20 Las Vegas Midnight Sevens
July 4-5 Cape Fear Sevens, Wilmington, NC
July 11 Denver 7s
July 24-25 Kansas City Blues Sevens
November 28 New York Sevens
USA Sevens has put up $1,500 in price money and added in other support to help promote the events. Teams that participate in these tournaments will gain points and that will lead to a championship tournament around the time of the USA 7s in February, 2010.
“USA Sevens has given the tournament $1,500 for grand prize of the Aces [bracket] as well as help with getting top refs for the competition,” said Midnight Sevens tournament director Rob Cornelius. “They have also advertised and marketed the event and have been great to work with and very helpful. We’re hoping that continuing the same program for next year will draw even more teams to the tournament.”
Representatives from USA Sevens will be attending tournaments and offering support and advice.
“USA Sevens sent 22 tournaments a list of specific criteria required plus a request for intent to participate if selected,” said Peterson. “Not all replied, but seven tournaments were considered and the final five selected after conversations with organizers and site checks. We hope to expand this to more tournaments in later years.”
- Alex Goff © www.erugbynews.com
