The 16 captains of the world’s best rugby sevens teams kicked-off HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens at the Supertree Grove, Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, and are ready for the start of the third edition, which will take place on April 28–29 at the Singapore National Stadium.
52,000 fans from Singapore and beyond are expected at the stadium this weekend, a 53 percent increase of compared to last year, with numbers tracking very closely to that of year one.
This tournament was named the International Sports Event of the Year at the Singapore Sports Awards in 2016, and it is stop 8 of the 10-leg HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
Led by HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series champions South Africa, winner of the recent Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Fiji, and Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallists New Zealand, the 16-team competition will also feature defending champion Canada, and Kenya, who reigned supreme in the inaugural event in 2016.
Billed as the “Family Sevens” of the 10-stop series, the biggest celebration of rugby in Southeast Asia has curated a fun kids’ entertainment programme as epic as the fast-and-furious action on the pitch. With appearances by three of the most popular Hasbro brands – The Transformers, Nerf, and My Little Pony – as well as Strider Bikes, and Spartan Singapore activities, and performances by The Superdudes at the FunZone, no parent will have to worry about keeping the kids entertained at the National Stadium.
Family packages, which include access to both days of the tournament for two adults and two youths between the age of 4 and 18, represent 20 percent of tickets purchased. Kids under 4 enjoy free entry.
Music After 7s at Clarke Quay, an initiative led by the Singapore Tourism Board, and in-stadia live music performances headlined by American party anthem band Village People, will guarantee an exhilarating and unforgettable experience for every ticket holder.
What’s more, tournament ambassadors and legends of the sport Ben Gollings, DJ Forbes, Michael Cheika, Stephen Moore, Scott Hastings, and Huriana Manuel will be roving in and around the stadium to meet and greet with fans.
Here’s what the organizers had to say before the start of this two-day action-packed celebration:
Toh Boon Yi, Chief of Singapore Sport Institute, said “We are delighted that the organizers significantly enhanced the value proposition of the event for fans and families. They can surely be captivated by offerings such as the FunZone for kids, and Makan Hub and lifestyle entertainment during the weekend. We would like to call out to all in Singapore to come dressed up in fancy dress and have great fun watching world-class rugby as well as having a good time bonding with family and friends.”
Melissa Ow, Deputy Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board, said “The line-up of leisure offerings in the Singapore Sports Hub and the immediate precinct shows why Singapore is an ideal venue for world-class sporting events like the HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens. With off-pitch activities like the Music After 7s and other in-stadia offerings that appeal to fans of all ages, spectators can look forward to a complete family-friendly experience that goes beyond the sporting action.”
Adam Firth, Chief Commercial Officer of the Singapore Sports Hub added, “The HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens is one of the biggest sporting events of the year at the Singapore Sports Hub. The rugby extravaganza – a legendary party – brings two amazing days of entertainment across sport, music, and family-friendly activities to the National Stadium and precinct. This top-tier event is a perfect match for our world-class venue.”
Eugene Kwek, Head of Marketing, Retail Banking and Wealth Management, HSBC Singapore, commented “As a passionate supporter of rugby, and the title sponsor of HSBC World Sevens series, our goal is to help grow the sport and help cultivate the next generation of players. At the grassroots level, we have key initiatives like the HSBC Rugby Festivals aimed at creating more opportunities for young players and women to get involved and develop in the game. Our hope is that together, we can further grow the game at both the professional and grassroots level, and help the sport to thrive for years to come.
Bill Beaumont, World Rugby Chairman said, “World Rugby is looking forward to returning to Singapore once again to witness the best rugby sevens’ teams in the world battle it out in a fantastic stadium with a family atmosphere. Rugby sevens is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, with Asia one of the key growth regions, and I am sure that this weekend’s event will provide another excellent opportunity to inspire the next generation of rugby sevens players and fans.”
David Lim, Executive Chairman and Managing Director, Rugby Singapore, commented “After all the hard work, we have arrived at tournament week of the HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens. We are very proud to be an important stop on the HSBC World Rugby Series, and our event has returned better, bolder, and better with every edition. In addition to the 45 epic games that await us this weekend, we are thrilled to offer all fans a world-class music and kids’ entertainment programme. Rugby, indeed, does live in Singapore, and we cannot wait to let the world see what we are capable of.”
Tickets are available at www.singapore7s.sg
