Bangkok’s Sevens Heaven

Top men’s and women’s rugby teams from across the globe to compete in Thailand’s annual tournament

At least 32 teams – half of them women, including one from Iran – have already signed up for the Bangkok International Rugby Sevens Tournament, now in its 22nd year. The popular annual rugby tournament also features eight local men’s teams and eight from overseas.
The action takes place over two days at the Bangkok Patana School on November 12 and 13, 2016.

Tournament Director, David Adamson, commented, “This is shaping to be the biggest and best Bangkok Sevens ever, with team numbers up, international referees in place and some great sponsors.”
With women’s teams coming from seven different countries – Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Singapore, Japan and Iran - the Bangkok Sevens is now the biggest women’s tournament in Southeast Asia.
The men’s international group promises much, with the Thai National team, as well two Australian entries, Sunnybank and the all-Aborigine side Pindarri Dreaming competing for honours. Other top contenders include the New Zealand Legends from Otago and Hartlepool Rovers FC from England, who could spring a few surprises.
Making a welcome return to the tournament after a three-year absence is Olymp Rugby from Kazakhstan. Additional local interest comes from the Bangkok Bangers who have entered both a Colts and a women’s (The Belles)in the competition.

Platinum sponsor of this year’s tournament is Hart Innovations from Hartlepool in northeast England, whose founder, Alby Pattison, attended last year’s tournament and enjoyed it so much he vowed to return and bring a team with him. That team is Hartlepool Rovers FC, an amalgam of the seven clubs that play their rugby in the town of the same name.
Tournament organiser David Adamson, a former rugby league player, coach and Sevens tournament organiser from New Zealand, has been involved with Thai rugby for 10 years through his company NZRugby Resources, which has placed coaches in many of the smaller rugby nations. The company also takes Asian players to New Zealand for immersion rugby for 120 days.
To boost women’s rugby in the region, the tournament organisers provide accommodation transportation and player-
coaches. Notes David: “Women’s rugby globally is growing at a remarkable rate but in Asia the growth curve is even sharper. We want our tournament to be the biggest women’s tournament in Asia – we are the already the biggest women’s sevens tournament in SE Asia. The quality of play improves every year.
“The three owners of the Bangkok Sevens have funded the differential between sponsor income and actual costs since inception as we believe in the tournament and sevens rugby 
in Thailand and Asia. We have proven to return and new sponsors that we can deliver a quality tournament.”