The first ever Queensland State Sevens tournament will be hosted by Noosa Dolphins Rugby Club, with the support of Noosa Council, across the weekend of November 13-14.
The event will see eight Queensland Premier Rugby clubs field sides, as well as regional teams from Central Queensland and the Sunshine Coast, across both men’s and women’s divisions.
The tournament is being introduced in lieu of the previous Queensland Premier Rugby Sevens tournament, which ran successfully in 2018 and 2019, before the delayed regular Premier Rugby season in 2020 saw the event cancelled last year.
The new approach to the tournament will allow more opportunities for regional teams and players to be involved.
Queensland Rugby’s General Manager - Community Rugby Gaven Head said: “Queensland Rugby are looking forward to hosting our first State Sevens event at Noosa.
“Noosa Rugby Club has established themselves as a great venue for Rugby through their previous experience hosting the Noosa Sevens, as well as a National Rugby Championships clash between Queensland Country and Brisbane City in 2017.
“The Queensland Premier Rugby Sevens competition previously unearthed Sevens talent, and we saw Josh Coward progress through to represent the Australian Sevens at the Tokyo Olympics.
"We’re looking to build on this concept with the addition of regional teams, while also providing a structured competition for the women’s teams to participate in.”
Noosa Dolphins President Donald McKill said: The Noosa Dolphins are delighted to host the inaugural Queensland State Sevens championship.
“Noosa Rugby Club hosted its first elite Sevens tournament in 2010, and since the first competition has hosted junior, women, social and elite Sevens competitions each year.
“As a club we are proud of the contribution the Noosa Sevens has made to the development of Sevens Rugby, with many of the current male and female players within elite junior and senior programs gracing Dolphin Oval over the years.
“We look forward to continuing to support the development of Sevens rugby through the Queensland State Sevens in future years.”
Whilst the Sunshine Coast Stingrays teams will consist predominantly of players from the local competition, a number of Sunshine Coast products who play for Premier Rugby clubs are relishing the chance to return home and turn out for their region, including former Sunshine Coast Grammar star Louis Werchon.
Werchon, who has been playing for Brothers in Queensland Premier Rugby in 2021, represented Queensland in Olympic Sevens trials earlier this year, and is excited to return to the Sunshine Coast for the tournament.
“I always wanted to see the Stingrays back in the Premier Rugby competition so to have a tournament where I can wear my home colours is great,” said Werchon.
“I’m excited to play with my mates from back home and compete against the best of the Premier Rugby competition.”
To view the competition draws for both the men’s and women’s competitions, follow the links below:
Queensland State Sevens – Men - https://bit.ly/QLDStateSevens21MensDraw
Queensland State Sevens – Women - https://bit.ly/QLDStateSevens21WomensDraw
