TAMPA - 24TH JANUARY 2024: The TROPICAL 7s is excited to announce the first team ever from Australia will participate at this year’s tournament in March 2024.
The Sunny Coast Crocs from Sunshine Coast, Australia are heading to Tampa with an under 14 Boys side and will join the growing list of international teams playing at this Spring’s tournament with over 70 international teams registered for the 2024 tournament.
The Sunny Coast Crocs is an invitational boys Rugby 7s side made up of players from various clubs around the Sunshine Coast in Queensland (Australia). The team was created to provide touring opportunities for local players as there are currently minimal chances to play high-level 7s in this age group. The players have been integral in the development of the brand and decided upon the name, mascot, and logo.
In late November, members of the Crocs were crowned undefeated champions of the Double Trouble 7s carnival at the Gold Coast, which is regarded as one of the best youth 7s competitions in Queensland. The Queensland club first registered a team for the Tropical 7s in 2020, but they had to unfortunately cancel their trip at the last minute due to the Covid outbreak.
‘Tropical 7s is arguably one of the biggest and best Rugby 7s carnivals in the world and the fact that we will be involved is such an exciting prospect’ said Sunny Coast Crocs Head Coach, Luke Zeremes. ‘For several years, we have watched the growth of the festival, and we cannot wait to be involved in 2024. Rugby 7s is such an exciting form of the game, but there are only a few opportunities for us to play high level within our region. Our side is committed to working hard and seeing what we can achieve against a range of teams from North America and beyond,’ he added.
‘Sport is an effective means through which players learn about touring, other cultures, team spirit, as well as discipline, pride, and what it means to be an ambassador for the Sunshine Coast. I am extremely proud of the efforts of my players for all they are doing to make this ambitious tour a reality, and I know that once they get on the field, they will play an exciting and entertaining brand of Rugby 7s that we want to showcase across the world. Our Crocs cannot wait to be a part of the Tropical 7s in 2024.', added Coach Zeremes.
Alex Proctor-Pearson, International Director for the Tropical 7s, commented: ‘We are thrilled to see the Sunny Coast Crocs finally make it to the Tropical 7s this year with their U14 boys side especially after having to agonisingly miss out on the opportunity to play a few years ago. We don’t underestimate the financial commitment made by teams to play at Tropical 7s, especially for teams willing to travel from across the other side of the world to play in the tournament. We are excited to be welcoming our first ever side from Australia, one of the world's leading rugby playing nations, to the Tropical 7s and is further testament to the growing international reputation of this event.'
Find out more about the Sunny Coast Crocs and their fundraising efforts for Tropical 7s HERE.
Registration for the 2024 Tropical 7s is currently open. Teams from around the globe are invited to compete in the International Youth Rugby Sevens tournament to be held on 29-30 March 2024 (Fri/Sat of Easter weekend) at the Tournament Sportsplex of Tampa Bay in Florida, USA.
Teams are invited to arrive early in the week to set up training camp with playing pitches available from Wednesday 27th March 2024, with the Tropical 7s Athlete Combine and Talent ID Sessions scheduled to be held on Thursday 28th March 2024.
Full details at www.tropical7s.com.
Kommentare