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The established Caldy Sevens returns again next weekend (May 3rd) celebrating its 65th birthday. Caldy, on the outskirts of Liverpool, has been known to attract high quality teams in the past.

This has included a number of international sides who have all made the trip to Caldy including Fiji with Serevi lifting the trophy in years gone by. Western Samoan, with the likes of Russia, Latvia, Malaysia, and sides from South Africa, France and Canada also in attendance at Paton field.

Although the international tournament is no longer played there, this year will see a strong 24 sides hitting Merseyside. Sale Sharks, Glasgow Hawks, Leeds, The Mercians and JHQ Rhinos a side made up of Fijian Army representatives are seemingly the major threats.

Tournament Director Roger Flashman has had a long association with the tournament, working at the tournament as a young boy.

“Like most small boys at that time at my school I was mad about rugby and so was delighted to be a ball boy and bring oranges out to the players at the Caldy Sevens.

“After that I was promoted to orange slicer, which I was very proud about. In the time since then I have been to every Sevens bar one, ” said Flashman.

Although the tournament is clearly an established one in the North of England, Roger said that this was not always the case, and remembers when he became involved in the organisational side of the event, it was struggling.

“In 1998 we lost the international sevens tournament, which used to have the likes of Fiji and Western Samoa playing, and were finding it tough to get 12 or 13 teams interested in playing, as well as sponsorship.

“It has taken a great deal of hard work, but now we have local teams competing against sides from across the country.”

Flashman is especially looking forward to the return of the flamboyant Fijians, with an Army team made up entirely of South Sea Islanders.

“They are so unpredictable in their play that anything can happen, and probably will,” he said. On top of that Sale will be very strong with their best young players, while Glasgow Hawks will also bring some good players.

“That’s not to rule out the local sides or scratch teams, all of whom will think they are in with a good chance and will be giving it everything. We also have a mystery team from Tui Rugby that no-one knows anything about, which all adds up to a tremendous mix of teams.”

“Just as important is the off the pitch activities and I would guess you will hear some bagpipes before the night is out, while anyone who is around if our Fijian guests begin to sing will be very lucky indeed,’ he added.

“We want to stay true to the roots of the Caldy Sevens and make sure the day has something for everyone – good rugby to play and watch, and good companionship.”