The 2014 Victoria International Youth Sevens kicks off today at the University of Victoria with over 30 junior rugby sevens teams competing for titles. The two-day competition is set to run July 11 and 12 and will once again feature a highlight U18 Men’s Elite Division along with U14 Boys and U16 Men’s divisions.
This year’s event will also have a U18 Women’s division along with a new U18 Men’s Open, featuring regional teams from across the province.
"This is a great event for our young players who are able to play at home in front of their friends and family,” said Shane Thompson, local head coach and Victoria Sevens Tournament director. “The competition is played in top level facilities and because we’re at home, we are able to field three teams in the competition, exposing more players to high level rugby sevens.”
The tournament is the host event for the BC Elite Youth Sevens, a youth program specializing in Olympic-bound sport Rugby Sevens.
Under Thompson, the BCEY7’s program has already lifted the Hong Kong International Youth Sevens title this past March and finished as runner-ups at the Las Vegas High School Invitational Sevens in January.
The Victoria event is the third and final stop for the U18 program which will be looking to lift its third straight title at UVic.
The competition gets underway at 10 a.m., and games will be played at Wallace Field, Wallace Field Turf and Centennial Stadium.
See a full schedule here or visit bcrugby.com.