We can't all be winners, but we can be great hosts to those who come and visit our city. On Saturday, this is exactly what our Grand Rapids rugby team, the Grand Rapids Gazelles, will do as they welcome the Midwest leagues to compete in Riverside Park for this one day 7s tournament.
This new and increasingly popular version of rugby is played with 7-member teams and in 7.5 minute-halves.
In fact, this downsized and fast version of the sport is growing in such popularity it is being added to the 2016 Olympic events.
What makes this Midwest tournament great (apart from its 23rd time being hosted in Grand Rapids) is the winner with the most points (collective from other matches) will be awarded top honors and advance to represent their city in the nationals.
This will make for an exciting day of rugby under the sun at downtown's Riverside Park, but it will also give Grand Rapids a chance to host 40 teams from all over the Midwest.
Grand Rapids may not be advancing in the nationals, but we have the stuff here to make an impression on scouts who are looking all over the country for the next star players as they begin to build the U.S. Olympic Rugby team.
Need further proof the scouts might be heading our way? Look no further than our very own Davenport University, whose rugby team recently became the National Champions in the AA rudgy collegiate league.
“This is a great time to catch a lot of young rising stars from West Michigan as they take to the field on Saturday,” says Kevin Keating of the Grand Rapids Gazelles. “We are proud and excited to welcome teams from all over the Midwest to Grand Rapids.”
The Grand Rapids Gazelles, while not competing in the nationals this year, may travel to compete in the open nationals just for the fun of it as one is welcome to play in this special event. If you have ever met a rugby player, you know how hard it is for them to stay off the grass so come on our on Saturday to support our home team but also welcome those who are traveling many miles to be here.
Admission: Free
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