GLENDALE, Colo. – All the excitement of Rugby 7s will be on display this August when the 4th Annual Serevi RugbyTown Sevens kicks off at Infinity Park (Aug. 14-16).
Seventeen teams, including three national teams and all five military branches will compete for a winner-take-all $10,000 purse in an event 5280 magazine has dubbed as one of the top can’t miss sporting events in the Denver area this summer.
“The tournament continues to grow in stature as we enter the fourth year of the competition,” said Glendale Raptors Director of Rugby, Mark Bullock. “There are more international teams competing and the USA military teams have raised the standard of their play.”
Rugby 7s, the quicker variation of traditional 15-a-side rugby union, is the newest Olympic sport set to debut at the Rio 2016 Games. Matches are played seven-a-side in two seven-minute halves and feature speed, strength and stamina. Fans attending the tournament will see non-stop action over three days from the fastest growing sport in the U.S.
Teams competing include: Atlantis Rugby, Bahamas, Bermuda, Collegiate All-Americans, Denver All-Stars, Glendale Raptors, Mexico Serpientes, Negro y Azul, Northeast Academy, Serevi Selects, Stars Rugby 7s, Upright Rugby Rogues, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, and the U.S. Navy.
Following a competitive summer 7s season in which the Glendale Raptors fell short of qualification for Men’s Club 7s Nationals, the hosts will be looking to impress in front of local fans in their home stadium.
“It’s really a good opportunity for players to measure themselves against some quality teams,” Raptors head coach Andre Snyman said. “There’s always a surprise team that comes out of it, so I can’t wait for this year.”
In addition to the tournament championship, each military team will also vie for a separate armed forces championship crown.
“Participating in the SRS as a military bracket and having the opportunity to compete against the rest of the SRS field has greatly accelerated our team’s development,” J.D. McManus of the U.S. Coast Guard said. “For our club especially, this is the best week of concentrated rugby we get all year and the camaraderie not only amongst our team but with the other clubs can’t be beat.”
New to this year’s tournament is an elite High School competition, which will include Atavus All-Stars, Atlantis Rugby, Glendale Raptors Academy, Rocky Mountain Rebels, Utah Cannibals, Utah Lions, and Upright Rugby Rogues.
Making a comeback at this year’s tournament is the Bruises and Brews Beerfest, which will take place Saturday, August 15 from 12-4 p.m. on the Festival Plaza, adjacent to Infinity Park. Twenty breweries will showcase their top brews, along with a few distilleries and a couple terrific hard ciders. Tickets for Glendale’s Bruises and Brews Beerfest are available for $35 online at www.glendalebeerfest.com or at the Infinity Park Stadium August 14 and 15, 2015.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
MONDAY AUGUST 3 – THURSDAY AUGUST 13, 2015
International, Domestic and Military teams training – Glendale Parks
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5
U.S. Navy arrives
U.S. Marines arrive
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8
U.S. Air Force arrives
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9
Stars Rugby 7s arrive
U.S. Army arrives
U.S. Coast Guard arrives
MONDAY, AUGUST 10
Atlantis Rugby Football Club senior and high school teams arrive
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11
USA All-Americans arrive
Northeast Academy arrives
5-7:00 p.m. – Representatives from participating teams will make bedside visits
Colorado VA Hospital, 1055 Clermont Street, Denver, CO
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12
Bermuda arrives
Mexico Serpientes arrive
Upright Rugby Rogues (Canada) senior and high school teams arrive
5-7:00 p.m – Representatives from participating teams will make bedside visits
Children’s Hospital, 13123 E. 16th Ave., Aurora, CO
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13
Bahamas arrives
Serevi Selects arrive
Utah Lions high school team arrives
Atavus high school team arrives
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14 – FREE FAN FRIDAY
High School Rugby Tournament: 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Infinity Park Sports Field
Rugby Matches: 12-7:30 p.m. – Infinity Park Stadium
“Fallen Rugger” Military Remembrance Ceremony: end of matches
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15
High School Rugby Tournament: 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Infinity Park Sports Field
Opening Ceremonies: 11:45 a.m.
Rugby Matches: 12-7:30 p.m. – Infinity Park Stadium
Admittance: $10 (does not include Glendale Bruises and Brews Beerfest)
Glendale’s Bruises and Brews Beerfest: 12-4:00 p.m. – Infinity Park Festival Plaza
Admittance: $35 (includes rugby matches)
High School Championship Match: 3:00 p.m. – Infinity Park Stadium
Military Championship Match: 4:00 p.m. – Infinity Park Stadium
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
Rugby Matches: 12-5:30 p.m. – Infinity Park Stadium
Admittance: $10
Beer and Food Garden: 12-4:00 p.m. – Infinity Park Stadium Festival Plaza
Mile Highlanders – perform live in the stadium at 3:00 p.m.
Tournament Championship Matches – begin at approx. 3:30 p.m.
The deadline to request a media credential is Monday, August 10th.
