The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced a new international schedule for the world’s leading Rugby Sevens tournament series, the IRB Sevens World Series. Following a major review of the Series by the IRB in consultation with relevant stakeholders, eight countries will once again host a tournament, but there are two new tournament locations with Adelaide (Australia), San Diego (USA) included for the first time.
Last season’s IRB Sevens World Series broke all previous attendance and broadcast records and the 2006/07 series is the most eagerly anticipated to date. The series will again kick off in Dubai on 1 December, visiting George (South Africa), Wellington (New Zealand), San Diego, Hong Kong, Adelaide and London before concluding with an eighth location. This location will be announced in the near future.
2006/07 IRB Sevens World Series dates are as follows:
• Dubai - Dec 1/2
• George (South Africa) - Dec 8/9
• Wellington (New Zealand) - Feb 2/3
• San Diego (USA) - Feb 10/11
• Hong Kong - March 30/31 and April 1
• Adelaide (Australia)- April 7/8
• London - May 26/27
“The IRB is delighted to welcome Adelaide and San Diego as IRB Sevens World Series tournament hosts for the first time,” said IRB Chairman, Dr Syd Millar. “The popularity of Rugby Sevens continues to grow in North America and the USA will host a tournament for the fourth successive season, while the success of Rugby Sevens at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Melbourne underlines its popularity in Australia.”
“The inclusion of these exciting new locations into the Series will serve to foster the growing global appeal of Rugby Sevens ahead of what promises to be the most competitive series to date.”
“The popularity of Rugby Sevens continues to experience significant global growth and the IRB Sevens World Series is central to its appeal. The 2005/06 Series was without doubt the most successful in the history of the event. With the standard of play, the number of participating Unions, attendances and broadcasting figures all reaching new levels the IRB Sevens World Series is firmly established as a key event on the global sporting calendar,” added Dr Millar.
Rugby Sevens’ brand of fast-paced action, world class players and global locations is attractive to sports fans across the globe. Last season’s IRB Sevens World Series attracted crowds in excess of 250,000, with Rugby World Cup Sevens 2005 in Hong Kong attracting 120,000 supporters over the three competition days. A world record crowd of 50,000 attended the final day at this year’s Commonwealth Games. In an exciting move the IRB has also announced that for first time ever in 2009 women will have their own Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament that will be held simultaneously with the men’s tournament in the same host city.
The 2005/06 Series was televised by 32 international broadcasters in 11 different languages and reached 187 million homes in 136 countries. Live coverage more than doubled with 530 hours of action being broadcast.
“The IRB is committed to increasing funding for the IRB Sevens World Series through its Sevens Strategic Plan and will be investing over £1.5 million in team participation and broadcasting production. We view Sevens Rugby as a key development tool for the Game and the Series is providing a pathway for players to Test rugby. Add this to the fact that the potential TV audience reach for the Series is over 475 million viewers, the IRB Sevens World Series is continually bringing new fans into the Rugby family.” added Dr Millar.
The 2005/06 Sevens World Series was the most competitive to date. A record 37 Unions competed in one or more of the eight series tournament events, with Fiji being crowned champions for the first time, breaking New Zealand’s stranglehold on the tournament.
All the latest IRB Sevens World Series information and news can be found at the official website: www.irbsevens.com
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