Rugby Sevens‘ debut in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will inspire over 200, 000 Aussie kids when they take part in the annual National Rugby Week kicking off in schools across the country today (Monday 25 July).
Students this year will be encouraged to send Hero messages to both of our Australian Men’s and Women’s Sevens teams on their quest for Gold in Rio.
Occurring in over 800 schools, National Rugby Week is a classroom and on-field program that teaches kids the fundamentals of Rugby as well as the game’s core values both on and off the field. The week culminates in a VIVA7s carnival, where students play the new fast, exciting non-contact version of the game, which may unearth the next generation’s Rugby Sevens Olympian.
All schools that entered into National Rugby Week and Australian Rugby’s Game On program will go into a draw to win a visit from one of the Aussie7s squad members at the conclusion of the Games.
ARU CEO Bill Pulver: “National Rugby Week in 2016 is reaching more students than ever before at a uniquely exciting period for our game as we rejoin the Olympics for the first time since 1924.
“There will be Australian kids watching their idols from the Qantas Australian Men’s and Women’s Sevens teams during the Games who will dream to one day compete on the same stage and be standing on a podium with a medal around their neck.
“National Rugby Week is a key component of Australian Rugby’s strategic plan to expand Rugby’s footprint outside of our traditional pathways and give more students exposure to our great global game from an early age.”
Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens captain, Ed Jenkins: “Rugby Sevens is a fun way to get involved in Rugby and National Rugby Week will give our Aussie kids a great opportunity to see what our sport is about.
“We have a massive challenge ahead of us when we compete in Rio and all the support we get from back home will help drive both Australian sides to want to be their best.”
