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The Easter weekend marks the official start of the UK and European Sevens season. A handful of festive tournaments to be seen at some stage at the weekend with the biggest undoubtedly the Melrose Sevens –the birthplace of the shortened version of the game.

This year marks the official curtain closing of a certain Waisale Serevi’s career bowing out appropriately at the scene of the first ever tournament of its kind in 1883. Other smaller and less high profile events are taking place across Winchester, Pocklington, Caterham, and Salcombe. The best of the international action takes places in the French town of Nancy at the Stanislas 7s. Here top quality European sides will be looking for a decent warm-up ahead of the FERA competition this summer, with Germany, Switzerland, Ivory Coast, and Belgium the pick of the international sides present.

In what was traditionally a period of the season that would see Rugby Clubs going on ‘Tour’ with respective XVs, is now seemingly being replaced by the increasingly popular and easier to organise Sevens tournaments for teams and clubs. The action continues well into April with a popular and high quality field taking to the pitch at 52nd Sunshine 7s in East Grinstead, and heading into May where 30% of the UK Tournaments takes place.

The period marks the culmination of months of work from Tournament Directors and Team Managers getting sponsors, teams, pitches, players, PR and marketing and referees. 2009 has become a huge year for the sport internationally with the incredible openness of the IRB Sevens, Wales' shock World Cup win, and a mooted involvement of the sport for Olympic inclusion. This growth and interest has been replicated on all levels with large-scale new tournaments such as Hartbury, Manchester, and the RFU Leisure tournaments growing constantly as well as touch, beach, and touch rugby league sports gaining popularity. Teams are looking to take advantage of increasing prize money and amiable surroundings as seen at European and American events.

It’s not just clubs looking for ways to generate revenue that are driving these tournaments, many are looking to raise awareness and funds for various important charities.

The Easter events are also popular with families and children looking for a carnival day out with plenty on offer other then the rugby to keep everyone amused and to take advantage of the Bank Holiday days off.

UR7s will be keeping you up to date with previews, analysis, and results of all the major UK and European events this summer – For Everything Sevens.