Get set for the hard hits and furious pace as Darwin plays host to first class rugby sevens action at Rugby Park Marrara – The Hottest 7’s In The World 26-27 January 2013.
Beginning in 1989 as the Territory 7’s, the event has grown in popularity and size. Since collaborating with Friends of Rugby in 2005, the 7’s have been known as the ‘Heineken Hottest 7’s in the World’, the Tournament’s profile has lifted with high profile teams such as New Zealand, Fiji, Singapore, England, Japan and Australia’s elite teams now participating in the event. In 2007 the Tournament introduced a women’s competition.
With a prize pool of $65,000, the Heineken Hottest 7s In the World is the richest tournament in the Southern Hemisphere. The tournament is strategically placed in January to attract the IRB teams competing in Wellington, New Zealand to stop over in Darwin as a prelude.
The support of the Northern Territory Government since 2009 has been pivotal, which has seen the event lifted to major event status. A funding grant of $100,000 per annum is invested into marketing, promotion and prize money. This investment has seen the profile of Sevens grow and in maintaining the lucrative prize purse, the tournament will continue to attract high calibre interstate and international competition. The influx of visitors to Darwin for the event is a much needed boost to the local economy during an off peak period.
The highly anticipated Heineken Hottest 7s In The World luncheon will kick off the weekend of Rugby. If you only go to one lunch, make sure this is the one - held on the Friday at the Holiday Inn Esplanade. It will feature guest speakers, entertainment and a Calcutta.
Another coup for the sport is the announcement that in 2016, Rugby Sevens will make its debut at the Olympics. With the game continuing to go from strength to strength and entering an exciting new phase in its development, the Territory is proud to welcome all teams, both new and returning, to Darwin.
