The Algarve Sevens takes place on the 2nd and 3rd of June and will take «several national and international stars» of rugby to the Sports Complex of Vila Real de Santo António.
The organization has already confirmed the presence of names such as Todd Clever, Fraizer Climo, Nyle Godsmark, Pedro Leal and Gonçalo Foro.
Pedro Leal is the competition's ambassador. At 33, he is one of the best and most experienced Portuguese rugby players ever. He is one of the “Wolves” of the 2007 World Cup and one of the captains of the VII and XV teams.
Gonçalo Foro, aged 36, is also a national reference. He plays for CDUL Rugby and represents the Portuguese team, with 59 caps. In 2014, he was elected Player of the Year by the Portuguese Rugby Federation.
The competition is not limited to elite teams and stars of the sport, but also includes open men's, open women's and veteran competitions.
The main competition – Male Elite, which takes place at Vila Real de Santo António Municipal Stadium, is closed with the confirmation of 12 professional teams: Samurai International, New Zealand Metro (with the legend All Black DJ Forbes and Tod Clever in the cast) , Worcester Warriors, Portugal, Durham University, Navigators, Russia, Germany, Catalonia National Team, Edinburgh, Hong Kong and Susies Sevens (international invitation team).
In addition to the elite competition, the event is made up of men's and women's open tournaments and veteran format 13-a-side, played at the Vila Real de Santo António Sports Complex.
In total, the Eastern Algarve receives more than 1000 players and coaches directly involved in the tournament.
Off field, the event has a program of side events lively with several parties: on June 1st (Algarve Sevens Welcome Beach Party) and on June 2nd (Algarve Sevens Saturday Night Party).
Gonçalo Uva, one of the biggest references in Portuguese rugby, commented on the upcoming competition: «The Algarve Sevens is a great opportunity to show rugby, Portuguese rugby and the fantastic conditions that Portugal has to host this type of event. For two days, Portugal will be on the world rugby map. It is necessary to capitalize on this opportunity and take the opportunity to confirm that rugby can be a reference sport in Portugal».
A few days before the start of the event, Conceição Cabrita, Mayor of Vila Real de Santo António, assures that «we have excellent conditions, green areas, varied and quality infrastructure for the practice of sport and rugby must of course be gift. I think that all the conditions are in place for this event to be a great success».
The director of Sports Ventures (company responsible for organizing this event) José Diogo Trigo de Moraes outlines the challenges for the future: «our goal, with the organization of Algarve Sevens, is to create a tournament that has continuity and lasts in time . We want this event to be a sporting and rugby party, a sporting success and that it also becomes a tourist product».
The opening game will be played between New Zealand Metro and the Catalunya team, scheduled for 13:30 pm on Saturday (June 2).
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