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50th Anniversary Sunshine Sevens
27th, 28th and 29th April 2007
Reports, Photographs and Results
A brilliant weekend of Rugby and Fun, culminating in a final worthy
of an international event. Appropriate since we had a World Cup ref!
The
The British Army,
who played in the original Sevens were the well deserved winners. Every game they played in was
a demonstration of Rugby Sevens skills and pure entertainement to watch. The standard
of all the sides, and the quality of all the games watched, confirmed the
East Grinstead Sunshine Sevens as the premiere charity Rugby Sevens event of the region.
The day and the weekend was marked by almost perfect
weather for Sevens Rugby. Sunny, appropriately, but not so
hot that it made play difficult, yet hot and sunny enough to bring out
even those who are not familiar with Rugby, to watch and
have a great day out,
The thanks of all of us must go to Garry Gordon, his organising
committee, the band of helpers and our generous
sponsers. And also to all those who joined us over the
weekend and opened their pockets and gave generously by
donating cash or by buying the many items on sale thus greatly helping
our charity effort.
The Sevens are now over for another year but don't forget
to come and join in the fun next year. Reports from each
of the days can be found below.
Friday 27th April - Schools Tag Tournament on featuring local schools, years 5 & 6
see pictures and read more...
Saturday 28th April - Ladies Event plus Girls, Under 14, Under 17 and boys Under 16 events
see pictures and read more...
Sunday 29th April - Men's Event
see pictures and read more...
and check
the full results
for the Mens Tournament.
If you attended and have any comments do please email them to
webmaster@egrfc.com
Down Memory Lane
It all started on a Sunday in 1958 when a group of eight
teams came together to have a great day of sevens Rugby
whilst at the time raising much needed money for the
Sunshine Home for Blind and Deaf Children, which was
located on the south side of East Grinstead.
They competed for the Lady Irene Astor of Hever Sunshine
Trophy. Donated and presented by Lady Irene herself.
East Grinstead's team were joined by teams from Crawley,
Hove, Horsham, R.N.A.S. Ford, Marines and a scratch team,
The Sunshiners from the Westminster Bank, who ended up
winning the tournament with a handsome cheque for
£55. 10s. 3d being presented to the Sunshine Home.
For the next 37 years the tournament continued to grow in
size and consequently raised more much needed funds for
the home In total the club raised in excess of £60,000,
which bought amongst other things an outdoor heated
swimming pool, a children's enchanted tree, a Parker
pneumatic specialist hydraulic bath, and many other extras
that the home could not otherwise afford. Additionally a
much appreciated television set and video for the
staff. Sadly the R.N.I.B. eventually decided to close the
home in 1995
This year with the help of WOODEN SPOON we are supporting
Chailey Heritage
The club then looked at how to continue the spirit of the
competition by looking for other worthy charitable groups
to be the continuing focus of our fundraising efforts. The
next four years were dedicated to the support of Burstow
Riding for The Disabled and during this time a total of
£18, 500 was raised. This was used to purchase a new pony
"Sunshine Glen", a driving carriage plus new tack and
various other needed items.
For the year 2000 we supported Richard Schabel in his
efforts to go to the Para Olympics in Sidney Australia and
for the last 5 years the tournaments fund raising efforts
have been directed to raising funds for The National
Kidney Research Fund plus other local Charities.
Over the past 49 years a total of over £150,000 has been
raised and we hope to add significantly to this total at
our 50th anniversary tournament in 2007.
From that first tournament of eight teams it has grown
year on year as the players came to recognize the Sunshine
Sevens as a top quality sevens tournament in a friendly,
competitive but charitable atmosphere Over the years the
tournament has attracted teams from as far a field as
Liverpool, Manchester, Exeter, the Welsh valleys and even
a Dutch team on tour with nothing to do on a Sunday!
With Sevens developing into a real spectator sport the
Sunshine Sevens is now well established on the Rugby
calendar. It is recognised as the premier Sevens Charity
tournament of the South East attracting top players from
across the South of England to play top class sevens
Rugby.
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