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Morocco will participate in their first tournament on the 2011/12 HSBC Sevens World Series this weekend at the Nelson Mandela Bay South Africa Sevens.

As one of the four non-core sides to compete at the tournament, head coach Christophe Rouchaleou believes the opportunity to play amongst the game's elite is the next step for the growth of Sevens in Morocco.

"For us and the players, our aim is to go to the Rugby World Cup Sevens, and for that this tournament is the next step," said Rouchaleou.

"We hope to make an impact against New Zealand, and also against France because I am French, and we hope to win one match, perhaps.

"It is very exciting to be in Port Elizabeth, for me and the players, and they also hope to win one or two matches. But for them the most important thing is it is an opportunity to grow and to learn from the experience."

Morocco have been handed the unenviable task of facing defending Series and South Africa Sevens champions New Zealand at 13:27 in their opening match on 9 December.

Following the pool draw which took place in Dubai, Morocco will also face pool matches with France and Scotland, and Rouchaleou spoke about what the crowd can expect from his side.

"Firstly playing against New Zealand is a privilege and will fill us with pride, and I have said to the players it is a very good opportunity for them," added Rouchaleou.

"Even if we lose, we will lose with pride. In the mind Moroccans are very proud and I think we have a good defence, in attack it will be more difficult, but in defence we are good."

With Rugby Sevens' Olympic inclusion, the aim for many teams is to compete in Rio in 2016, but before then there is a Rugby World Cup Sevens to aim for in Moscow in 2013, which is also a goal for Rouchaleou.

"The aim for Morocco is to make the next Rugby World Cup Sevens and after that to be in the Olympic Games," explained Rouchaleou, who has also previously been a part of the French and Kenya Sevens coaching staff.

"It is hard because there will only be 12 nations in Rio, but for Morocco it is important because we have a little more money and there are programmes in place in schools and suburbs.

"I did this six years ago in Kenya and they grew, so I hope it is the same in Morocco."