Noosa International Sevens rugby festival undergoes massive restructure for 2021

A boutique sporting event which attracted players and fans from around the world has undergone a massive overhaul after a decade of success.

A boutique sports festival which drew rugby players and fans into Noosa from across the globe has undergone a major restructure.

The Noosa Sevens had established itself as one of the headline sevens tournaments over the past decade before the ongoing coronavirus pandemic forced a revamp.

Queensland Rugby Union, in partnership with Sunshine Coast Rugby Union and Noosa Dolphins, this week announced the event would become the Queensland State Sevens Championship for 2021.

The new tournament, which would’ve been the 11th Noosa Sevens festival, would be played across November 13-14 at the Noosa Dolphins rugby club.

We’ve listed the four major changes you need to know about before the new festival kicks off:

Teams

The Queensland State Sevens Championship will feature 24 teams including the nine teams from the Brisbane Premier Rugby Competition.

The tournament is set to feature 24 teams in both the men's and women's divisions.

Nine teams from the Brisbane Premier Grades such as Bond, UQ, GPS, Sunnybank, Easts, Souths, Wests, Norths and Brothers as well as a Sunshine Coast, a Gold Coast and Darling Downs representative sides will take part.

Noosa Rugby Union Club President Don Mckill said it would be a competitive competition.

“It is an invitational all tournament which means the best teams and the best players in the state will be playing,” he said.

“There’s no question that the best players on the Coast can match it with those premier grade sides so there would be no mismatch with the representative teams competing.

“Sevens is a different ball game compared to the 15-a-side format so it will be good to see which players shine through for their team.”

Atmosphere

The Queensland Sevens State Championship will feature live music, drinks and food trucks for fans of all ages.

Just like the traditional Noosa Sevens the State Championship will feature live music, drinks and food trucks for all ages.

Mckill said the partnership with Tourism Noosa meant the whole region would reap the rewards.

“If all goes to plan having these players travelling within Queensland will allow them to experience what Noosa and the wider Sunshine Coast has to offer,” he said.

“Players and spectators will be able to enjoy the live music and locally supplied food which adds another experience to the tournament.

“The tournament will be serious and competitive on the field but quite relaxed off it.”

Expert Support

Noosa Dolphins club president Donald Mckill is excited ahead of Queensland Invitational Sevens tournament. Picture: Patrick Woods.

This year’s on field tournament would be run solely by the Queensland Rugby Union.

Mckill said it would be a well deserved break for the Noosa and Sunshine Coast rugby union volunteers.

“In terms of volunteer burnout we’ve gone almost two years now without a break for our volunteer base,” he said.

“We thought it would be appropriate that someone else could run the administration and coaching while we just focus on the grounds and entertainment.

“The support and drive from the QRU has been great and we know it will be a well-run tournament.”

Expansion Opportunities

The Sunshine Coast Stingrays celebrate winning the U17 Girls division one at the Noosa Sevens Youth Carnival.

Mckill said the current set-up for the 24 teams would suit but would be happy to expand to more teams and more age groups in future.

“We will start this tournament a bit smaller compared to previous years by making sure we have the model right,” he said.

“We recognise that the Noosa Sevens has been one of the major sevens calendar events and we’ve been fortunate enough to have that support of the younger age groups.

“Alongside the QRU we’re hoping to eventually invite more teams and different age groups so we can begin to grow the event.”