Byron Rebels to rejuvenate rugby sevens carnival

A MIX of former Australian Wallabies and aspiring juniors will take part in the rejuvenated Stone and Wood Byron Bay Rugby Sevens Festival this year.

More than 1000 competitors will take part in the 34th running of the event at the Byron Recreation Ground from October 17-19.

Byron Shire Rebels rugby union club will run the event, taking the reins from NSW Rugby Union which organised the last two events.

“We’re really proud to be back running the event and it’s going to be all hands on deck,” Byron Shire Rebels club president James Boysons said.

“It’s one of the top rugby tournaments in the country and we want to add value to that by running the best event we possibly can.”

The carnival often features Sydney Shute Shield, Queensland Premier Division and Australian Sevens players.

There will be teams from Fiji and New Zealand competing with the likes of retired Wallabies Lote Tuqiri and George Smith, who have both played at the event in recent years.

This year, eight teams will contest the premier division, including Bond Uni, the Hunter Wildfires and Sunnybank.

A total of 48 men’s teams have entered the open and social competition along with a growing number of women’s teams.

Local teams in the mix include Ballina, Lennox Head and Mullumbimby, which have all had success in the social part of the competition over the years.

The final day will invovlve the Rohrig Brothers Elite Development Program, a junior boys and girls’ competition in under-14 and 16s divisions.

“It’s exciting to offer a junior competition. There are a lot more girls getting into rugby and its one of the fastest growing sports for women in the region,” Boysons said.

“The whole weekend will be a very social atmosphere, and there will be a lot fun and activities for spectators who want to come along.”