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

Robin Heymann

‘You’ve never seen anything like it’ is its motto. And for the hoards of Aussies, Kiwis, and South Africans in London, going to ‘Church’ on a Sunday takes on an entirely different concept to traditional modes of celebrating the Sabbath. For years ‘The Church’, has become an antipodean institution, a haven and hang out for party lovers to drink and dance with thousands of their contemporaries all not wanting the weekend to end. The Church identity and mystique has risen for the last three years and now includes a Sports Day incorporating all levels of Rugby Sevens and Netball.

Rapidly Growing

With the obvious fervour amongst Australasians for their sport and especially their ‘footy’, The Church’s marketing gang led by Russel Fielding found themselves inundated with requests from rugby teams looking for sponsorship. After sponsoring a handful, it soon become obvious that it was often the case teams wanted an association with ‘The Church’ for the novelty factor and potential free entrance on the door, as it was for any cash or kit element. To counter this, three years ago it was decided that the best plan of attack was to host a sevens tournament for a variety of teams with giveaways and free entry to Sunday’s weekly service.

“They seemed to like this idea as we ended up with 40 rugby 7s teams and 24 netball teams and that was a sell out. We were lucky to have great teams from the start and they have come back each year. Over the last two years we have built on this great start, we’ve moved this year so have been able to get 52 7s teams in but still have a waiting list”, said Clair Sullivan who runs the Church.

It’s an impressive achievement for an event so raw and with the day seemingly expanding at a rate of knots, Sullivan is adamant a larger venue then Grasshoppers RFC, the tournaments home this year, is required in the future. So what can expect from the 4th instalment of this exciting new concept? Well Fielding and Sullivan are expecting nigh on 78 teams to be on show with a footfall around the 1000 mark. Another commendable aspect of the day is that you won’t just be hearing the familiar twangs of ‘bro’ and ‘you little ripper’ around the Grasshoppers. To the contrary the tournament attracts the best UK invitational teams around a sign that the season is genuinely up and running.

Scorpions in a tussle to hold onto crown

Within the Open Division the quality is obvious and is considered to be up there as one of the premier one day tournaments. Last year it was the Terry Butler’s Scorpions, traditionally one of the more established outfits around, leaving as top dogs with a strong London Irish influence in their ranks thanks to players like Adam Thompstone and Charlie Gower.

They are back this year, as the McCallum Scorpions, and certainly have their work cut out. Jedi, winners in 07, started their season off with a bang down at the Sunshine Sevens and have recruited well with the likes of Stu Mackay, Joe Ajuwa, and Tom Gregory giving them some cut and thrust. Mark Dean, coach of Samurai Barracudas (a development side to Samurai Intenational), will no doubt bring a strong unit but face a tough time in Pool B with Koru Kamikaze and Olorun Identity. Kamikaze are fresh off the back of another win last weekend at Canterbury, whilst the ID have bought a strong squad with a dose of talent from various Premier Clubs in the Midlands. Another team expected to cause some damage are The Smurfs with speculation of three of Wales’s victorious World Cup winning squad set to be included.

Expect the Social Division to be tightly contested also with some powerful sides that wouldn’t look out of place in the big boys division. Defending champions The Otters (aka The O Unit), RAM Stallions, Olaf Axes, and Akuma MTC will be tough to beat for the more socially inclined teams also in the draw. In the women’s section its sevens specialists the Pink BaaBaas who are there to be shot at with Daughters of Serevi and Hampstead Ladies expecting to push them all day. With some Netball ranging from the very talented to the players opting for a more ‘chillaxing’ approach to the day, the Church Sports Day seemingly caters for all.

Fun Times? Bloody Oath mate!

With Sullivan well aware of the increasing emphasis of ‘off the field’ entertainment at leading 7s events, the Church is also looking to join the party in that sense.

“We’ve been lucky to be able to build year on year and next year we want to grow again so we can accommodate more teams and bring more of the fun and social aspect of The Church to the event as well. What started as a sort of pet project is turning into one of our major events of the year and so we’re fully focused on making it the best day we can for all the teams that come to us.

“Our Hawaiian Luau after party sets the theme so we have a surf simulator, coconut shy and other games, the Church DJ playing music and entertainment from Beats of Polynesia and our Hawaiian string band...– don’t forget your Hawaiian shirt. Of course there’s a bar, all day BBQ and a spit roast too.”

Another important aspect of the day is the charity side of things, as is often the case for these types of affairs.

“We raised £4000 for The Shane Francis Ahearne Trust last year and this year we’ll be looking to increase that to at least £6000. The trust funds scholarships to Bath University for kids with academic and sporting potential,” added Sullivan

Opening leg of the Series?

The tournament's rapid growth says something about the The Church’s brand pulling power, with punters and players knowing they won’t be let down. The tournament’s high quality has also added to the possibility of it taking the mantle of the opening leg of an UK National 7s Series that is in the planning for next year. Whilst the Rugby 7s and Netball side of things might still be in its infancy, ‘The Church’ itself is looking ahead to its 30th Birthday festivities later this year with a series of parties in October, I for one will look forward to joining the rest of the teams on the Sunday post tournament to see what really all the fuss is about... it could be a long weekend people.