One of the most exciting sporting events in the world is making its way to back to Infinity Park in Glendale, Colo. this upcoming weekend: Serevi RugbyTown Sevens.
Top rugby sevens teams have competed against one another at Infinity Park since 2012 and this has become a can’t-miss summer event. Since the inaugural tournament here in 2012, each year more teams have participated in this event and this year is no different.
17 teams will be competing Aug. 14-16 for the winner-take-all $10,000 purse.
Some of the teams headlining the event include: three national teams, all five U.S. military branches and the Collegiate All-Americans.
A sport that features speed, strength and stamina all between two seven-minute halves, will provide thorough entertainment for rugby fans and fans new to the sport itself.
Rugby sevens is a quicker variation of the traditional 15-a-side rugby format and is set to become the newest Olympic sport debuting at the Rio 2016 Games.
This style of rugby is very popular around the world with tournaments held all over the world in places like Dubai, Hong Kong and Sydney.
For Denver to again be hosting such a special tournament is great for the state of Colorado, which is also the headquarters for USA Rugby (Boulder).
Additionally, to have an all-time international rugby legend in Waisale Serevi as the co-host of the Serevi RugbyTown Sevens Tournament, really adds to the event. Serevi is a rugby superstar from the small country of Fiji.
Throughout his illustrious career, the 47-year-old Serevi represented Fiji in a record seven IRB World Cups in 15s and 7s, winning the title twice. He also played in a record seven Honk Kong 7s championships, (premier Rugby sevens tournament). Currently Serevi is the third-highest scorer in international rugby history.
A career that spanned over a decade, Serevi’s forte was rugby sevens and he is considered to be one of the greatest sevens players of all time.
For Serevi to attach his name to a rugby sevens tournament and have it hosted in Colorado makes this a special event that since 2012 has continued to attract more fans and more professional teams willing to compete.
“The SRS tournament continues to grow in stature as we enter the fourth year of the competition,” said Glendale Raptors Director of Rugby Mark Bullock. “There are more international teams competing and the USA military teams have raised the standard of their play.”
Since the early 2000’s, expanded visibility, access and the overall quality of rugby in the US has improved immensely and these tournaments continue to grow the game nationally and teach a younger generation about the sport.
Don’t miss the Serevi RugbyTown Sevens.
Sammy Mugharbil, a Mile high Sports intern and student at MSU-Denver, contributed to this report