Cross-code stars headline 2024 Townsville Festival of 7s

The popular Townsville Festival of 7s returns this weekend with the senior divisions taking the field across three action-packed days. Read about some of the most surprising cross-code players.

Patrick Woods

@PatWoods321

2 min read

October 17, 2024 - 3:15PM

News Sport Network

Players ahead of the 2024 Townsville festival of 7s. Picture: Nathan Ferguson / TDRU

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The popular Townsville Festival of 7s returns this weekend with the senior divisions taking the field across three action-packed days.

The region’s best rugby players will flock to Hugh Street for the latest instalment of the North Queensland rugby extravaganza, with players coming from as far as Brisbane and Roma to take part.

The Big Papi’s 6.0 return for a sixth consecutive appearance although team member Harry Johnston said the side would be understrength due to an unexpectedly long silly season.

“We’ve got a couple new boys, and a couple returning. We lost a couple to holidays in Bali and a bit of silly season action but we got the core boys back,” Johnston said.

“Then we’ve got four or five coming up from Brisbane. Trey Valentine is another one of our debutants.

Harry Johnston from The Big Papi's 6.0 ahead of the 2024 Townsville festival of 7s. Picture: Nathan Ferguson / TDRU

“Also returning this year are the Big Mama’s (women’s team). They came in two years ago and made it all the way to the final, so they’re back this year and they’re looking stacked.”

The Dragons Spark Up women’s side will be captained by Western Suburbs star Esther Harm, and the team includes impressive 1st-grade stars Crystal-Lee Walsh, Maisie Stephen and Talei Koroibulu.

MA Olympic forward Kizanne Mulder – who was this year selected for the Australian women’s futsal team – will also try her hand at rugby 7s for the Western Suburbs-flavoured team.

Dragons Spark Up player Rayne Sweet said the squad included a few cross-code converts.

“The Dragons girls give it a crack most years, we’ve got a few surprising names on the line-up and some new girls coming to the sport,” Sweet said.

Rayne Sweet of Dragons Spark Up ahead of the 2024 Townsville festival of 7s. Picture: Nathan Ferguson / TDRU

“We have some fresh from league, fresh from touch footy, and a few surprises in there as well.

“We have a couple of girls that just went away and represented the ADF, and they were brand new to rugby this year, and we’re really hoping to steal them for the Dragons if we can.”

The senior competition begins on Friday with the men’s social competition. Youth and primary-aged players kicked the festival off last week.