News
After collaboration among some of the north’s leading independent schools, a new sevens series called the North East HMC Super Schools Sevens will make its first appearance on the sporting calendar this year..
The North East HMC Gamesmasters’ committee, have developed a tournament structure which not only benefits the academic requirements of the Easter term but also increases the competitiveness of the rugby sevens season creating a league similar to the IRB sevens circuit whilst at the same time providing the players with the required rest periods between tournaments.
HMC North East Super Schools Sevens
90% of the schools rugby sevens tournaments have been moved from their traditional mid-week day to a Saturday or Sunday creating a structured sevens season which solves the issues of academic lessons being missed. The bulk of the organisation has gone through Durham School having developed the concept before taking it to the HMC.
Ben Mason, Director of Sport at Durham School and the Chairman of the North East HMC Gamesmasters Committee, explained:
“As a one term XV a-side rugby school we take 7s very seriously. To be part of such an inclusive tournament is going to be fantastic. We hope it will produce a highly competitive environment bringing out the best in all players involved.
“The Super 7s will give the players the on-going incentive they need to consistently produce high standards throughout the term. We hope that the Super 7s will be a great success and that it could help create a format to be repeated around the country”.
With Sevens rugby moving more prominently into the spotlight thanks to Olympic inclusion, and more counties adopting full time dedicated sevens squad, the need for specialist players from this country is growing. A lot of that production line starts at schools level and therefore the need for consistent competition is imperative.
Mason added: “There are increasing pressures on schoolboys to meet academic demands and with an increasing number of exams this is having an effect on when schools sevens tournaments can take place and what players can commit to.
“The main issue arises from the traditional games afternoon when many tournaments are held. For the majority of schools entering the tournament this involves a full day out and a whole day of lessons missed.”
We will be bringing you coverage of all the individual tournaments that make up the Super Series and you can keep up to date with them and the Series rankings here>>>>
