The National Schools 7's
Encyclopedia
The National Schools Sevens is an English rugby union sevens tournament, held in association with Rosslyn Park F.C.
, that has evolved into the world's largest rugby tournament with some 7,000 boys and girls aged 13 - 19 competing annually. There are now well over 1,100 matches on the 5 groups of pitches (each one having its own Ground Management Team) every year.
The event was first held in 1939, and has been held every year since, becoming one of the oldest continuous tournaments for schools. The tournament accepts sides from all over the world and has recently had teams from Canada, China, Denmark, Guernsey, Hungary, India, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Kenya, Nigeria, Poland, Romania, South Africa, Spain, and the Ukraine as well as England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Each Tournament has a similar format of Group matches on the first day with possibly a knockout round or two. The second day is for the knockout rounds, which culminate in the relevant Final. The Junior Tournament and the Preparatory Tournament (both under 13s) start on the Monday, the Festival (one term rugby schools) starts Tuesday, the Colts (under 16s) Wednesday, and the Girls Tournament and Open Tournament (both under 18s) start on Thursday.
Originally it was a knock-out competition for English public schools but as interest grew it was extended to include grammar, comprehensive and preparatory schools. The format was also changed into pool groups so that no U16 or girls side played fewer than three matches and no U18 boys side fewer than four. Almost all the founding 16 schools compete to this day and, although it remains an invitation event, no eligible school would be refused entry upon application. In 1956 the Preparatory Schools competition was started for IAPS schools and in 1973 the Juniors (U13s) were held for the first time. In March 1997, a new competition was introduced for the U16s and it has been the policy during the past few years to invite schools from overseas who may be touring the UK to play in the tournament. Each year the number of schools applying increases. In 1998 the first girls (U18) competition was inaugurated, and a recent popular inclusion has been a sevens challenge match between Old Boys RFCs, the first of which was between Ampleforth
and Millfield
, who between them have won the senior tournaments a remarkable 21 times.
- was a previous winner here in 1997 with Canford. Eight of the England squad who were victorious at the 1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens
at Murrayfield and most of the 2003 Rugby World Cup
winning squad had played for their schools at Rosslyn Park. Many senior rugby coaches and captains of industry in the UK have played in the tournament. Gareth Edwards
was a member of the 1966 winning Millfield
team. In 1967 Keith Jarrett
played for Monmouth School
and, just a month later, scored 19 points for Wales against England. Rob Andrew
and Rory Underwood
played in the same Barnard Castle
side, whilst more recently Simon Danielli
, victorious with Cheltenham College
in the 1998 Festival, was ever present in Scotland's 2003 world cup campaign and James Simpson-Daniel
(Sedbergh
, Open Winners in 1999) continues to impress on the international stage. World Cup winner Iain Balshaw shone in this tournament for Stonyhurst College
who had a remarkable season in 1996 winning all of the tournaments in which they entered.
It is true to say that most English and Welsh internationals have played in the Tournament for their school at some point. Although the Girls Tournament only started in 1998 there has been a least one full Women's International (Michaela Staniford, England) to have played in it already. Michaela played for the winning Rickmansworth side in 2003 and became the youngest Women's England International two years later, aged 18.
have enjoyed the most success in the 'Open' although in 2004, Ivybridge Community College
pipped them in the final, just 14 years after the school took up the sport. John Fisher School has appeared in 4 Open finals between 1997 and 2009 winning twice. After Ben Gollings
(currently world record points scorer on the IRB 7s circuit) took his Canford
side to success in the 1997 Festival, the trophy was won either by Wellington or Cheltenham until Colston's broke the trend in 2006. The 2003 final seemed certain to be a record five on the trot for Wellington with their impressive international line-up but Cheltenham
turned round a 0-12 half time score to win. The next year Cheltenham won it again after beating Taunton and then yet another win followed for Wellington College
in 2005. Colstons won in 2006 (despite normally playing in the Open) and King's College, Taunton in 2007 after going so close in previous years.
Colston's School, Bristol
made history in 2007 by becoming the first school ever to win both the Open (U18 Boys) and the Girls (U18) tournaments. Benenden School
, in only their first season of rugby pushed them all the way in the final before eventually losing 19 - 17. Colston's girls could not repeat it in 2008, falling to East Norfolk 6th Form College in a high quality game and Sedbergh won the Open Tournament. The 2008 Tournament was broadcast live on the internet and was watched in over 30 countries.
In the 2009 tournament. Millfield
continued their success, winning both the 'Open' and the Colts tournament. In the Festival Epsom College
were defeated by Wellington College. Neath Port Talbot ended Colstons Girl's continued their dominance to take the title. In 2010 Millfield won the Open, Colts & Prep Schools Tournaments; Tonbridge School
beat Wellington in the Festival and Hartpury cruised to the Girls title.
In 2011 HSBC became the Tournament sponsor. By now the event had four separate food outlet centres, thirty two exhibitors and a large screen for results and advertising. Film highlights from the previous day were uploaded the next morning and mixed with the advertising content. At the same time as these changes Millfield's recent dominance faded and they failed to make the next day's play off rounds in any tournament. Filton College
won the Open, Hartpury College
won the Girls and Tonbridge won the Colts.
All the results are updated on the official website throughout each day.http://www.rpns7.co.uk
Rosslyn Park F.C.
Rosslyn Park Football Club is a rugby union team. Founded in 1879, the club became the first club based in England to play rugby internationally when it faced Stade Francais in Paris on 18 April 1892. In 1912, the club played in Prague, Budapest and Vienna in the first rugby matches ever played in...
, that has evolved into the world's largest rugby tournament with some 7,000 boys and girls aged 13 - 19 competing annually. There are now well over 1,100 matches on the 5 groups of pitches (each one having its own Ground Management Team) every year.
NS7 Open Titles
| School | Wins | |
|---|---|---|
| Millfield School Millfield Millfield is an independent school in Street in Somerset, in south-west England.The school currently has a roll of 1,260 pupils, of whom 910 are boarders... |
13 | |
| Neath School | 4 | |
| Stonyhurst Stonyhurst Stonyhurst is the name of a rural estate owned by the Society of Jesus near Clitheroe in Lancashire, England. It is dominated by Stonyhurst College, its preparatory school Stonyhurst Saint Mary's Hall and the parish Church of St Peter's.-The Estate:... |
3 | |
| Llanelly School | 3 | |
| Rugby School Rugby School Rugby School is a co-educational day and boarding school located in the town of Rugby, Warwickshire, England. It is one of the oldest independent schools in Britain.-History:... |
3 | |
| St Edward's, Liverpool | 3 | |
| The John Fisher School The John Fisher School The John Fisher Old Boys Association is an exclusive members club for past pupils and teachers of The John Fisher School in Purley, Surrey.Membership of the Association is available to all former pupils of the John Fisher School and those members and former members of the School Staff who are... |
2 | |
| Bedford School Bedford School Bedford School is not to be confused with Bedford Modern School or Bedford High School or Old Bedford School in Bedford, TexasBedford School is an HMC independent school for boys located in the town of Bedford, England, United Kingdom... |
2 | |
| Ampleforth College Ampleforth College Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire, England, is the largest Roman Catholic co-educational boarding independent school in the United Kingdom. It opened in 1802, as a boys' school, and is run by the Benedictine monks and lay staff of Ampleforth Abbey... |
2 | |
| Llandovery School | 2 | |
| Uppingham School Uppingham School Uppingham School is a co-educational independent school of the English public school tradition, situated in the small town of Uppingham in Rutland, England... |
2 |
The event was first held in 1939, and has been held every year since, becoming one of the oldest continuous tournaments for schools. The tournament accepts sides from all over the world and has recently had teams from Canada, China, Denmark, Guernsey, Hungary, India, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Kenya, Nigeria, Poland, Romania, South Africa, Spain, and the Ukraine as well as England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Format
The play for the first 4 days is centred around Wimbledon Common where there are 24 pitches. But the last day (Friday) the Open and Girls Tournaments remaining knockout rounds are held at Rosslyn Park. All the pitches, bar Rosslyn Park, are close together and there is just a short walk between them all.Each Tournament has a similar format of Group matches on the first day with possibly a knockout round or two. The second day is for the knockout rounds, which culminate in the relevant Final. The Junior Tournament and the Preparatory Tournament (both under 13s) start on the Monday, the Festival (one term rugby schools) starts Tuesday, the Colts (under 16s) Wednesday, and the Girls Tournament and Open Tournament (both under 18s) start on Thursday.
History
There has been some recent speculation (November 2008) about the reasons for the Schools 7's inception. Some recent research by Richard Cable, of the BBC, shows that Rosslyn Park started holiday games for schoolboys following the Great War. http://bbc.co.uk/history/familyhistory/get_started/unknown_soldiers_01.shtml These were held in January and were believed to be in commemoration of Rosslyn Park members killed in action. This was the beginning of a strong link between the club and youth rugby - something that continues to this day. In 1938 it was known that an internal tournament took place at the club where members played as old boys representing their schools. The following year, and possibly as a result of some disagreement among the members as to whose school was better at "rugger", the Schools 7's was born.Originally it was a knock-out competition for English public schools but as interest grew it was extended to include grammar, comprehensive and preparatory schools. The format was also changed into pool groups so that no U16 or girls side played fewer than three matches and no U18 boys side fewer than four. Almost all the founding 16 schools compete to this day and, although it remains an invitation event, no eligible school would be refused entry upon application. In 1956 the Preparatory Schools competition was started for IAPS schools and in 1973 the Juniors (U13s) were held for the first time. In March 1997, a new competition was introduced for the U16s and it has been the policy during the past few years to invite schools from overseas who may be touring the UK to play in the tournament. Each year the number of schools applying increases. In 1998 the first girls (U18) competition was inaugurated, and a recent popular inclusion has been a sevens challenge match between Old Boys RFCs, the first of which was between Ampleforth
Ampleforth College
Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire, England, is the largest Roman Catholic co-educational boarding independent school in the United Kingdom. It opened in 1802, as a boys' school, and is run by the Benedictine monks and lay staff of Ampleforth Abbey...
and Millfield
Millfield
Millfield is an independent school in Street in Somerset, in south-west England.The school currently has a roll of 1,260 pupils, of whom 910 are boarders...
, who between them have won the senior tournaments a remarkable 21 times.
A rugby nursery for international players
A significant number of English and Welsh Internationals tasted competitive rugby for the first time at the tournament, indeed the highest scoring international sevens player of all time - Ben GollingsBen Gollings
Ben Gollings is a rugby union footballer who plays fly-half for Rugby Lions and formerly for England Sevens.-Career:...
- was a previous winner here in 1997 with Canford. Eight of the England squad who were victorious at the 1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens
1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens
The inaugural 1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens was held at Murrayfield in Edinburgh, Scotland, in April 1993. The International Rugby Board invited the established rugby union nations but also were keen to involve emerging nations in the event, recognising the fact that Sevens was providing the bridge...
at Murrayfield and most of the 2003 Rugby World Cup
2003 Rugby World Cup
The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby World Cup and was won by England. Originally planned to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, all games were shifted to Australia following a contractual dispute over ground signage rights between the New Zealand Rugby Football Union and Rugby World...
winning squad had played for their schools at Rosslyn Park. Many senior rugby coaches and captains of industry in the UK have played in the tournament. Gareth Edwards
Gareth Edwards
Gareth Owen Edwards CBE is a former Welsh rugby union footballer who played scrum-half and has been described by the BBC as "arguably the greatest player ever to don a Welsh jersey"....
was a member of the 1966 winning Millfield
Millfield
Millfield is an independent school in Street in Somerset, in south-west England.The school currently has a roll of 1,260 pupils, of whom 910 are boarders...
team. In 1967 Keith Jarrett
Keith Jarrett (rugby)
Keith Jarrett was a Welsh international rugby centre who played union for Newport and league with Barrow. Jarrett is most notable for his early appearances for the Wales national rugby union team where he set point scoring records...
played for Monmouth School
Monmouth School
Monmouth School is an HMC boys' boarding and day school in Monmouth, Monmouthshire in south east Wales. It was founded in 1614 by William Jones. It is run as a trust, the William Jones's Schools Foundation, by the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers, one of the Livery Companies...
and, just a month later, scored 19 points for Wales against England. Rob Andrew
Rob Andrew
Christopher Robert "Rob" Andrew MBE , nicknamed "Squeaky", is a former English rugby union footballer and currently Director of Operations at the RFU. He was formerly the Director of Rugby of Newcastle Falcons. As a player, Andrew was assured in his kicking and defensive skills off both feet...
and Rory Underwood
Rory Underwood
Rory Underwood MBE is a former English rugby union footballer who played wing for, most notably, Leicester Tigers and Bedford. He represented England and the British Lions and is a former Royal Air Force pilot....
played in the same Barnard Castle
Barnard Castle School
Barnard Castle School , is a co-educational independent day and boarding school situated in the market town of Barnard Castle, in the North East of England. It was founded in 1883 as the North Eastern County School, with the name changed to the current one in 1924, and to this day is generally...
side, whilst more recently Simon Danielli
Simon Danielli
Simon Charles Jonathan Danielli is a professional rugby union player who plays on the wing for Ulster and Scotland.-Early life:...
, victorious with Cheltenham College
Cheltenham College
Cheltenham College is a co-educational independent school, located in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England.One of the public schools of the Victorian period, it was opened in July 1841. An Anglican foundation, it is known for its classical, military and sporting traditions.The 1893 book Great...
in the 1998 Festival, was ever present in Scotland's 2003 world cup campaign and James Simpson-Daniel
James Simpson-Daniel
James David Simpson-Daniel is an English rugby union footballer who plays wing or centre for Gloucester Rugby....
(Sedbergh
Sedbergh School
Sedbergh School is a boarding school in Sedbergh, Cumbria, for boys and girls aged 13 to 18. Nestled in the Howgill Fells, it is known for sporting sides, such as its Rugby Union 1st XV.-Background:...
, Open Winners in 1999) continues to impress on the international stage. World Cup winner Iain Balshaw shone in this tournament for Stonyhurst College
Stonyhurst College
Stonyhurst College is a Roman Catholic independent school, adhering to the Jesuit tradition. It is located on the Stonyhurst Estate near the village of Hurst Green in the Ribble Valley area of Lancashire, England, and occupies a Grade I listed building...
who had a remarkable season in 1996 winning all of the tournaments in which they entered.
It is true to say that most English and Welsh internationals have played in the Tournament for their school at some point. Although the Girls Tournament only started in 1998 there has been a least one full Women's International (Michaela Staniford, England) to have played in it already. Michaela played for the winning Rickmansworth side in 2003 and became the youngest Women's England International two years later, aged 18.
Recent tournaments
In recent years MillfieldMillfield
Millfield is an independent school in Street in Somerset, in south-west England.The school currently has a roll of 1,260 pupils, of whom 910 are boarders...
have enjoyed the most success in the 'Open' although in 2004, Ivybridge Community College
Ivybridge Community College
Ivybridge Community College is a state funded secondary school in Ivybridge, Devon, England. It is apparently the second-largest secondary school in Devon. Since 2010, Rob Haring has been the principal. It was awarded a sports specialism in 1997, a specialism in Science in 2004 and a third...
pipped them in the final, just 14 years after the school took up the sport. John Fisher School has appeared in 4 Open finals between 1997 and 2009 winning twice. After Ben Gollings
Ben Gollings
Ben Gollings is a rugby union footballer who plays fly-half for Rugby Lions and formerly for England Sevens.-Career:...
(currently world record points scorer on the IRB 7s circuit) took his Canford
Canford School
Canford School is a coeducational independent school for both day and boarding pupils, in the village of Canford Magna, near to the market town of Wimborne Minster in Dorset, in South West England. The school was founded in 1923. There are approximately 600 pupils at Canford, organised into houses...
side to success in the 1997 Festival, the trophy was won either by Wellington or Cheltenham until Colston's broke the trend in 2006. The 2003 final seemed certain to be a record five on the trot for Wellington with their impressive international line-up but Cheltenham
Cheltenham College
Cheltenham College is a co-educational independent school, located in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England.One of the public schools of the Victorian period, it was opened in July 1841. An Anglican foundation, it is known for its classical, military and sporting traditions.The 1893 book Great...
turned round a 0-12 half time score to win. The next year Cheltenham won it again after beating Taunton and then yet another win followed for Wellington College
Wellington College, Berkshire
-Former pupils:Notable former pupils include historian P. J. Marshall, architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, impressionist Rory Bremner, Adolphus Cambridge, 1st Marquess of Cambridge, author Sebastian Faulks, language school pioneer John Haycraft, political journalist Robin Oakley, actor Sir Christopher...
in 2005. Colstons won in 2006 (despite normally playing in the Open) and King's College, Taunton in 2007 after going so close in previous years.
Colston's School, Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
made history in 2007 by becoming the first school ever to win both the Open (U18 Boys) and the Girls (U18) tournaments. Benenden School
Benenden School
Benenden School is an independent boarding school for girls in Kent, England. It is located in Benenden in the Kentish countryside, between Cranbrook and Tenterden....
, in only their first season of rugby pushed them all the way in the final before eventually losing 19 - 17. Colston's girls could not repeat it in 2008, falling to East Norfolk 6th Form College in a high quality game and Sedbergh won the Open Tournament. The 2008 Tournament was broadcast live on the internet and was watched in over 30 countries.
In the 2009 tournament. Millfield
Millfield
Millfield is an independent school in Street in Somerset, in south-west England.The school currently has a roll of 1,260 pupils, of whom 910 are boarders...
continued their success, winning both the 'Open' and the Colts tournament. In the Festival Epsom College
Epsom College
Epsom College is an independent co-educational public school in Epsom, Surrey, England, for pupils aged 13 to 18. Founded in 1853 to provide support for poor members of the medical profession such as pensioners and orphans , Epsom's long-standing association with medicine was estimated in 1980 as...
were defeated by Wellington College. Neath Port Talbot ended Colstons Girl's continued their dominance to take the title. In 2010 Millfield won the Open, Colts & Prep Schools Tournaments; Tonbridge School
Tonbridge School
Tonbridge School is a British boys' independent school for both boarding and day pupils in Tonbridge, Kent, founded in 1553 by Sir Andrew Judd . It is a member of the Eton Group, and has close links with the Worshipful Company of Skinners, one of the oldest London livery companies...
beat Wellington in the Festival and Hartpury cruised to the Girls title.
In 2011 HSBC became the Tournament sponsor. By now the event had four separate food outlet centres, thirty two exhibitors and a large screen for results and advertising. Film highlights from the previous day were uploaded the next morning and mixed with the advertising content. At the same time as these changes Millfield's recent dominance faded and they failed to make the next day's play off rounds in any tournament. Filton College
Filton College
Filton College is a further education college in Filton, Bristol, England.The main site lies on the A38 just south of Filton Aerodrome. A second major campus, dedicated to performing arts, fine art and sport, and known as WISE , opened in 2005 adjacent to Filton High School, near Bristol Parkway...
won the Open, Hartpury College
Hartpury College
Hartpury College is a further education college and associate faculty of the University of the West of England situated in the village of Hartpury, Gloucestershire.-History:...
won the Girls and Tonbridge won the Colts.
All the results are updated on the official website throughout each day.http://www.rpns7.co.uk