The World School Sevens, a showcase of young male and female players from around the world, is coming to Pakuranga next month.
A total of 32 teams will tough it out on December 13 and 14 at Pakuranga United Rugby Club – a club which furnished its own Sevens star Charles Piutau back in 2011 among a host of provincial, Super Rugby and All Blacks team members.
“It all starts here, at the grassroots, with young athletes being able to show their skills at an international level to a global audience,” says Tex Teixeira, Sky’s director of sport, broadcast and entertainment.
Sky Sport has naming rights sponsorship of the World School Sevens.
“We hope to raise the profile of the Sky Sport World School Sevens event which will future-proof this exciting sport.”
The Sky Sport World School Sevens kicks off at 9am on Friday December 13 and runs through to 5pm on Saturday. Live coverage will ensure all games played on Field 1 at Pakuranga get the attention they deserve.
Phil Gaze, tournament director, says, “Since the inception of this event in 2016, this event has proven extremely popular, with many nations travelling to this event to develop their next layer of talent. The event is seeing phenomenal growth and now has a waiting list for 2020.This new partnership with Sky Sport will help take this event to another level.”
Securing the rights for tournaments like these ensures ongoing support to nurture players and sport in general. Teixiera says, “Without reliable and committed partners, the generosity of sponsors and volunteers, important events like these simply can’t take place.
“There’s no doubt sport helps develop and sustain healthy communities – and top-notch competition like the Sky Sport World School Sevens gives the next generation more opportunities to aim for the top and get the recognition they deserve”.
Steve Armitage, general manager destination at Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (ATEED) says, “ATEED is focused on delivering and supporting a portfolio of events that bring benefits to the wider Auckland region – and the World School Sevens fits well with this aim.
“The World School Sevens tournament is an incredible development opportunity for the next generation of aspiring athletes and we look forward to welcoming our visitors with manaakitanga (a warm welcome) as they spend time exploring Tamaki Makaurau – a place renowned for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant city culture.”
