The largest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Rugby 7s tournament kicks off on new turf this week with the KARI Foundation Ella 7s debuting in Dubbo, New South Wales.
32 teams will take centre stage including 2019’s crowned champions the women’s Highlanders from Brisbane and the men’s Southern Kings from the South Coast.
Now in its twelfth year, the competition has expanded to three days to include local school competitions which will see primary school teams taking to the field on Thursday and high school teams battling it out on Friday.
Rugby Australia’s High-Performance team will be scouting for fresh talent after uncovering several First Nations stars including Australian Sevens hotshots John Porch, Maurice Longbottom and Mahalia Murphy.
Wallabies legend and former President of the Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team Gary Ella said the KARI Foundation Ella 7s represents a huge stepping stone for the code. ‘’Rugby recognises that we need more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders donning the green and gold jersey and this tournament offers that opportunity.
‘’We’ve seen players fast-tracked to the top in just a matter of months so it’s always an exciting time when we first spot them at the KARI Ella 7s.
‘’We’ll also have Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing providers as well as the YARPA Indigenous Employment Hub set up on the sidelines to chat with players,’’ said Ella.
All the action kicks off Appex Oval in Dubbo on Thursday morning at 9:00am with the finals being played on Saturday at 6:00pm.
Men’s Teams:
Southern Kings, South Coast NSW
Bourke Warriors, Bourke NSW
Knightriders, ACT and South Coast NSW
Skindogs Gold, Sydney NSW
La Perouse R.U.F.C, Sydney
Mehi Warriors, Moree NSW
Skindogs, Sydney NSW
Mob Deep, Redfern, Sydney
C Q Black Magic, Central QLD
Brothers United, Dubbo NSW
Walgett 7’s, Walgett NSW
North Coast Magpies, Grafton NSW
Dubbo Rhinos, Dubbo NSW
Gomeroi Goannas, Moree NSW
Tingha Warriors, Tingha NSW
Hamilton Hawks, Newcastle NSW
Bre Brumbies, Brewarrina NSW
Bourke Rams, Bourke NSW
Mallos Magpies, Dubbo NSW
Mr Jesters Inn, Central Coast NSW
Gathang Gan Gans, Mid North Coast NSW
Charlie French Memorial, Singleton NSW
Dirty Ruckers, Sydney NSW
Sydney Sea Turtles, Sydney NSW
Women’s Teams:
Highlanders, Brisbane QLD
Gracie Aboriginal Pathways, Sydney NSW
Maroubra Thunders, Sydney NSW
Tingha Warriors, Tingha NSW
Highlanders Development, Central NSW/Brisbane
Coonamble Cougars, Coonamble NSW
Mr Jesters Inn, Central Coast NSW
Rhinos Women, Dubbo NSW
