• • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • Technorati
  • Reddit
  • Stumble Upon
  • Furl

Former Wallaby Andrew Walker’s team, the Boomanulla Knight Riders have defeated La Perouse Panthers 22-12 to win the 2011 Ella Sevens title at a soaked BCU International Stadium in Coffs Harbour on Saturday.

The dual international’s side, which also boasted the talents of former Australian Sevens representatives, Tim Cornforth and Arthur Little, defied the wet conditions to record a four-tries-to-two victory and win a share of the record $33,000 prize money on offer.

Walker showed he’s still a force to be reckoned with on the field, scoring the final try of the match to secure the 10-point win.

In the women’s Cup final, the Redfern All Blacks overturned a 10-point deficit at halftime to defeat the Murri Magic 29-17 and be crowned 2011 Ella Sevens champions.

The five-tries-to-three victory sealed a near perfect showing for the Redfern All Blacks, after they earlier survived a 15-all draw against the Coffs Coast Glitz in the semis to progress to the Cup Final on a superior for-and-against record.

The seven-a-side men’s and women’s tournament is the marquee event for the Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team (LMRDT), an organisation which is dedicated to promoting Rugby Union to young Aboriginal men and women and increasing participation in the sport.

Australian Rugby royalty and Ella Sevens namesakes Gary, Mark and Glen Ella were in attendance to oversee proceedings at the two-day event which has grown to include 44 teams after humble beginnings back in 2008 where 10 men’s and three women’s teams competed at the inaugural tournament.

Rugby legend Mark Ella said he’s impressed with the tournament’s continued growth and popularity.

‘It is wonderful to see how in a few short years what began as a simple idea from Tom Evans and my brother Glen has grown into one of the premier 7’s contest in Australia and, more importantly it gives Aboriginal men and women and opportunity to display their talent in a nationally respected forum,” Ella said.

The Lloyd McDermott team will now turn their attention to selecting both a men’s and women’s National Indigenous Squad which will go on to compete at the Central Coast and Byron Bay Sevens tournaments. Plans are also in the works to stage 7’s Rugby Camps for boys and girls at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern and the sport’s reinstatement to the Olympics in 2016 is huge incentive for the youngsters.

Highlights of the Ella 7’s will be screened on Foxtel Channel 180 National Indigenous TV (NITV).

For further information please contact the Executive Officer, Mr Thomas Evans 0418 976 524 or LMRDT Inc Vice President, Mr Glen Ella on 0448 366 319.