Acorn Newquay Surf 7s Rugby Tournament in Newquay Cornwall

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Press Release dated: 21st July 2008

Newquay Surf 7s Rugby is a magnificent success

Newquay enjoyed a magnificent sporting weekend, when the biggest Rugby event in the town’s history was enjoyed by more than a thousand players plus their supporters at Newquay Sports Centre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The incredibly successful festival of rugby rivalled any in Europe when internationally-renowned professional seven-a-side rugby teams competed for over £10,000 worth of prize money, with another £12,000 going to Cornish charities.
Acorn Newquay International Rugby 7’s, the first ever seven-a-side Rugby Tournament held in Newquay lived up to its promise and provided a weekend full of festival rugby.

“The sensational combination of Sun, Sea, Sand, Surf and Sizzling Sevens Rugby here in Cornwall made this first time event a great success,” said Tournament Director Andy Hawken. “We plan to repeat it again next year.”
“The 92 seven-a-side teams competed in a festival of rugby in five separate tournaments and without exception they all want to come back next year to do it all again.”

“Some of the best sevens rugby teams in Europe played in the Invitational Competition on Saturday. The British Army team, stocked full of fast and brilliant Fijians, eventually won a great final against the famous Marauders team from Hampshire.”

“Equally important was the Women’s Open Competition with the incredibly impressive Wooden Spoon Ladies team demonstrating wonderful skills and talent when they beat a very impressive Pink BaBas in their final. The Wooden Spoon Ladies team also recently won the Dubai 7’s competition.”

“But, on Friday evening was the big curtain raiser, a traditional 15-a-side rugby match between a Classic Lions team and a Newquay Hornets Presidents Invitation team. The Classic Lions team were well stocked with quality international standard players from England, Wales, Scotland and New Zealand.”

“Names such as; Mark Mapletoft of Saracens and England, Brad Hepl of the New Zealand Maori’s and Classic All Blacks, Craig Moir Scotland and Saints, Dave Sims, Gloucester and England.

“Sadly, injuries and the weather took its toll on some players which inevitably caused team changes for the Newquay side in particular. Sadly James Hawken, (Cornwall and Cornish Pirates) missed his flight from Stanstead, and was one who was disappointed not to play in the match he helped so much to set up in the first place.”

“But, nevertheless Newquay Hornets Presidents Invitation team gave a very good account of themselves before losing to the impressive quality, power and experience of the Classic Lions team.”

“The match was refereed by the famous International Referee Tony (Spreaders) Spreadbury, and was enjoyed by all, even though the Cornish mizzle tried to put a dampener on the event.”

Spreaders said how much he enjoyed the event, commenting; “If you can continue this standard of rugby and organisation every year you can never fail.”

“The Classic Lions match was followed by a wonderful Grand Presentation Dinner for players, sponsors and guests. It included an auction in aid of our three chosen charities, which are; the Precious Lives charity, the Merlin Project and the Churchtown Farm at Lanlivery. The Auction alone raised a wonderful £4,725”

The main Invitational Rugby Sevens Festival featuring internationally renowned teams was played on Saturday. They enjoyed the perfect weather needed for such a festival of running open rugby, blue sky and lots of sunshine.

The strong list of twelve participating teams included Kaiviti Krusaders, Kooga Wailers, Samurai International, as well as eventual finalists Marauders, and the Army 7’s team, the eventual winners.

The Army brought a strong team to Newquay, as they planned to use the competition as a key warm-up for the forthcoming Middlesex Sevens competition.

Separate competitions for the Men’s Open and Women’s Open were also played on the Saturday. The Mens Open Final was also a great match between West Country Cavaliers and eventual winners Ronins Impact.

Sunday 20th July was once again enjoyed in blazing sunshine. A great fun day of rugby sponsored by Skinners Brewery, as visiting Rugby Clubs from all over the UK had their own competition, with a separate Pub Sevens Competition also taking place.

Serious games of great sevens rugby were enjoyed by all, but the outstanding final between two Devon rugby clubs was eventually won by an impressive Kingsbridge Young Guns when they beat a very good Collumpton side.

In the Pubs competition, some famous establishments were represented, such as the now extinct Vic Bars in Newquay. But, some high quality rugby action was seen all afternoon, and the final between two Welsh sides was another quality event of fast running rugby between Tregaron Titans and eventual winners Glantaf HSOB.

“We have to thank so many people for such a successful first ever event in Newquay. From Nicola Markham at ACORN, and all of our sponsors, Friends of the Sevens, organisers, helpers, players, referees, Restormel Borough Council, Newquay Town Council, Newquay Hornets RFC, Newquay Sports Centre, Newquay Cricket Club, Newquay Bowls Club, Newquay Tretherras School, The Wooden Spoon Society and The Classic Lions. All of whom have contributed to make this event the great success it has been,” said Graham Hooper, Tournament Coordinator.

“We must not forget more than 400 boys and girls from schools throughout Cornwall who came together, playing Tag-Rugby on Friday afternoon, to contest the inaugural Rugby Newquay Surf 7s Schools Day at Newquay Sports Centre, all in partnership with NTS Sport (Newquay Tretherras Sport) and Cornwall Active Sport.”

“They actually started the whole weekend with a bang and got the place really buzzing,” concluded Andy Hawken

Top class players and teams at International Surf 7s Rugby weekend

Newquay will host a glittering cast of current International and Guinness Premiership rugby players including a team of south sea islanders, the Kaiviti Crusaders.

The ACORN Newquay Surf 7s International Rugby tournament will host a huge 92 team seven-a-side competition at Newquay Sports Centre. The 76 men's and 16 top women's teams can all be seen, playing on the five available pitches, during the weekend of the 18th, 19th and 20th of July.
The Newquay Surf 7s competition is brand new to the world of rugby, and has attracted most of the best teams in professional sevens rugby for the special Invitational Competition on Saturday.

“Over the three days, there is everything from a 15-a-side Classic Lions match on the Friday evening to more than 80 seven-a-aside teams from all over the UK,” said Andy Hawken Tournament Director. “They will all be competing in Cornwall’s biggest ever sevens tournament. Not forgetting the 40 Cornish schools that will also enjoy their own competition of Tag Rugby.”

“ We are absolutely delighted to announce that the exciting team Kaiviti Crusaders will also be joining us to add to the already top class line up in Newquay’s inaugural sevens rugby competition. They will replace Suzies Saloon in the invitation competition, as sadly they had to drop out.”

“We are fresh from winning the Bath Sevens on 27th June,” said Seru Rabbeni of Leicester and Fiji. “We are therefore very much looking forward to playing the Newquay Surf 7’s Competition, and hopefully even to win this first ever event!”

Seru’s assistant manager, England rugby star Lewis Moody, is also delighted to be involved in this inaugural rugby event.
Among the other teams entered in the Newquay Surf 7s are, the Adidas Marauders, who have added to their seasons successes with a win at the Marbella 7s in the sunshine, having also won the Kinsale 7s in Ireland this year.
The celebrated Samurai International will also be in Newquay, having made it four straight wins at the 2008 Amsterdam Sevens.
Top ladies teams will also be playing, including the Wooden Spoon Ladies team who won the last Dubai 7’s competition.
“The seven-a-side rugby teams will compete for over £10,000 worth of prize money, with another £12,000 going to three important Cornish charities.”

“Our main aim being to raise funds for charities important to the county. £6,000 is planned to go to the Precious Lives charity in conjunction with the National Wooden Spoon organisation. Precious Lives aim to help build the first Childrens Hospice for Cornwall,.”

“A further £3,000 will also go to each of two other charities. The Merlin Project to aid the construction of the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre for Cornwall, and The Churchtown Farm at Lanlivery, the centre for adults and children with physical, sensory and learning disabilities.”
“The Newquay Surf 7s International Rubgy 2008 tournament’s main Platinum sponsor is ACORN Property Group who has been keen to support the event from the very beginning.”

“This has giving us the firm bedrock needed to achieve a successful event. Acorn Property Group are regeneration specialists, and are currently investing more than £70m in seven separate new developments in and around Newquay.”

The on-pitch seven-a-side action starts at 10am on both Saturday and Sunday, with round-robin pool matches. The finals are scheduled for approximately 7pm on both Saturday and 6pm on Sunday.

Tournament Organiser Andy Hawken concluded: “All rugby fans are in for a real treat! The demand by top teams to come and play in Cornwall in July has been amazing. Our difficulty has been to keep the team numbers as high as possible without diminishing the enjoyment for both spectators and players at all levels. It promises to be the start of something really big annually. This is all very good news for Cornwall.”

Press Release dated: 1st July 2008

40 Cornwall school teams to kick-off International Surf 7s Rugby weekend

More than 400 boys and girls from schools throughout Cornwall will come together to contest the inaugural Newquay Surf 7s Schools Day at Newquay Sports Centre later this month.

A Cornwall Schools Tag-Rugby competition will open the amazing fun weekend on Friday July 18th at 1.00pm, as a prelude to the top class international rugby to be seen in Cornwall that weekend.

This first-ever Schools Day is the curtain-raiser to three exciting days of rugby, which continues the same evening when a Classic British Lions team play against a specially-selected Newquay Hornets Presidents XV which kicks off at 6.30pm.

“The 40 school teams involved are split into two different leagues, comprising 24 Secondary School and 16 Primary School teams,” said organiser and spokesman Richard Higginson, Director of Sport at Newquay Tretherras School.

“We are all planning on an exciting afternoon of fast 7-a-side tag-rugby with all teams harbouring hopes to become eventual winners in their separate finals.”

“Newquay Tretherras School sports students (NTSports) from year 10 will be in charge and they will run both the Secondary and the Primary school tag-rugby events for all the teams from the many competing Cornish schools.”

Andy Hawken, Tournament Organiser for the Newquay Surf 7s said; “We are thrilled that, in this first year of the Newquay Surf 7s, we have been able to provide this opportunity for so many children to participate in our Tournament and for so many spectators to see the fun and enjoyment of grass roots level rugby as played in so many of Cornwall’s schools.”

Councillor Shirley Polmounter said “To have so many local children all here at the Newquay Sports Centre, participating in this wonderful event, enjoying their own competition and acting as a fanfare for the rest of the weekend of top class rugby is both an honour and a treat. Restormel Borough Council is more than pleased to support the event by providing medals and facilities for all the players so they can remember the day, which I know we will all enjoy.”

School teams taking part will include:
Secondary : Tretherras, Wadebridge, Brannel, Mullion, Penair, Bodmin, St, Ives, Pool, Mounts Bay, Helston, Penryn, Richard Lander, H. Davy, Redruth.
Primary : Newquay Junior, Bishops, St Newlyn East, St Columb Major, Trewirgie, Perranporth, Bude, St Columb Minor, Archbishop Benson.
(NB: Some schools are providing two teams.)

Newquay rugby competition will give thousands to charities

The ACORN Newquay Surf 7s competition at Newquay Sports Centre in July will be showcasing the UK’s best teams in seven-a-side rugby, when they will compete for over £10,000-worth of prize money.
But also, the Cornwall branch of the renowned Wooden Spoon charity, which is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year will benefit.
Wooden Spoon is rugby's main charity which supports mentally, physically and socially disadvantaged children and young people. It is committed to spending millions on projects for children and young people across the country.

Newquay Surf 7s also intend to assist Help for Heroes, Precious Lives and Disability Trust with bucket collections carried out during the three days of the competition.

“Newquay Surf 7s in this our inaugural year, is keen to support all four charities, their ethos and their work, both within Cornwall and nationally,” said Andy Hawken, the tournament organiser.c“Help for Heroes is targeted at aiding the men and women of our armed services wounded while serving in the current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. The aim is to build a swimming pool and gym complex at Headley Court, the premier facility for the rehabilitation of injured soldiers, sailors and airmen.”

“Closer to home, Precious Lives aims to build a Children’s Hospice. This invaluable Hospice will be based in Cornwall and will help families with sick children who currently have to cross the border into Devon to use the specialist facilities. They need care in their own county.”

“Also The Disabilities Trust, which provides an imaginative new concept of personal care and specialist housing for people with special needs including injured sportsmen.”

“Newquay Surf 7s promises to be the mother and father of all rugby tournaments, even though it is year one. Teams will range from the best seven-a-side rugby teams in the country – more used to playing in the renowned Hong Kong or Dubai competitions – to local club sides and other teams from all over the UK, both men and women.”
“The demand from the top clubs to be included has been quite incredible and excitement is mounting at the impressive line up of teams at this first-ever Cornwall-based competition in July.”

Teams such as Samurai International who won the very recent Amsterdam Sevens tournament, and are expected to have a number of South African internationals in their team.

But the Scorpions, who won Irelands top sevens tournament at Kinsale in May, will also be keen to repeat their success by winning in Newquay’s inaugural competition.

Tim Visser, the Dutch player discovered by Newcastle Falcons at the Amsterdam Sevens and now playing for the Falcons in the Guinness Premiership is planning to be in Newquay with the Kooga Wailers.

Other top sevens sides include Susies Exiles, Royal Navy Sharks and the incredible Army 7’s team loaded with big fast Fijians, Bristol Uni Old Boys, Irish Exiles, RBS Royals, Apache Rugby 7’s plus other teams from all over the UK.

The Ladies Open tournament will also provide some great rugby from well known teams such the Wooden Spoon and Moody Cows. As will Daughters of Serevi, Pink Ba-Bas, and teams from Saracens, Wasps, Richmond and Oxford who will all be pushing for the first Newquay Surf 7s title.

“But, the weekend of fun and excitement will kick off with a big curtain-raiser on July 18 with a traditional 15-a-side rugby match between a Classic Lions team and a Newquay Hornets Presidents Invitation team. Both teams will have top international players with great reputations,” said Andy Hawken.

Press release: 2nd June 2008

Draw Promises A Festival of Rugby at Newquay in July

Last week’s Match Draw at Newquay was a curtain raiser to a great festival of Rugby in Cornwall planned for July. This major seven-a-side competition has attracted the best in professional sevens rugby, alongside top amateur and fun teams.

There's everything from a 15-a-side Classic Lions match to open the weekend, to more than 80 seven-a-aside teams from all over the UK, competing in Cornwall’s biggest ever sevens tournament.

Top internationally-renowned professional seven-a-side rugby teams will compete for over £10,000 worth of prize money, with another £12,000 going to the Cornwall branch of the renowned Wooden Spoon charity.

The ACORN sponsored Newquay Surf 7’s International Rugby Tournament 2008 will provide a festival of rugby on July 18th, 19th and 20th at Newquay.

The 90 teams will compete within five separate tournaments including:

Samurai International (Winners of 2008 Amsterdam Sevens competition), Scorpions, Kooga Wailers, Marauders, Susies Exiles, Irish Exiles, Royal Navy Sharks and the incredible Army 7’s team loaded with big fast Fijians.

Separate competitions for the Men’s Open and Women’s Open are also planned for the weekend, including the Wooden Spoon Ladies team who recently won the Dubai 7’s competition. Also, Skinners Brewery sponsored Club and Pub competitions will ensure a great weekend of fun for all.

But, the curtain raiser on Friday 18th July will be a traditional 15-a-side rugby match between a Classic Lions team and a Newquay Hornets Presidents Invitation team.

The ACORN Newquay Surf 7’s International Rugby 2008 event is supporting one of the UK and Irelands fastest growing charities, the Wooden Spoon Society. Hopefully, the estimated £12,000 raised will assist in supporting and improving life for disadvantaged children and young people.”
Tournament Organiser Andy Hawkin said: “If you are a fan of rugby, you're in for a real treat! The demand by top teams to come and play in Cornwall in July has been amazing. The difficulty has been in keeping the team numbers as high as possible without diminishing the enjoyment for both spectators and players at all levels. It promises to be the start of something really big annually. Which is all good news for Cornwall”

Draw for Cornwall’s own International 7-a-side Rugby Competition trumpets the way to a summer of exciting sport

The match draw for Cornwall’s own festival of seven-a-side rugby, showcasing the UK’s best teams of this exciting brand of rugby, will take place next week at Newquay Sports Centre, on Friday 30th May at 1.00pm.

This summer, Internationally-renowned professional seven-a-side rugby teams will compete for over £10,000 worth of prize money, with another £12,000 going to the Cornwall branch of the renowned Wooden Spoon charity.

The ACORN sponsored Newquay Surf 7’s International Rugby Tournament 2008 will provide a festival of rugby on July 18th, 19th and 20th at Newquay.

“More than 60 teams will compete within five separate tournaments catering for all standards,” said Tournament Director Andy Hawkey. “From the best seven-a-side rugby teams in the country - more used to playing in the renowned Hong Kong or Dubai competitions – to local club sides and other teams from all over the UK, both men and women.”

Teams which are competing in the top Mens Invitation Competition on Saturday the 19th July include:

Scorpions, Kooga Wailers, Samurai International, Marauders, Susies Exiles, Irish Exiles, Royal Navy Sharks and the incredible Army 7’s team loaded with big fast Fijians.

Separate competitions for the Men’s Open and Women’s Open are also planned for the weekend, including the Wooden Spoon Ladies team who recently won the Dubai 7’s competition.

Sunday 20th July will also be a great fun day, sponsored by Skinners Brewery, as visiting Rugby Clubs from all over the UK have their own competition, with a separate Pub Sevens Competition also taking place. “Don’t be deceived by the ‘Pubs’ teams,” said Andy Hawken. “We’ve seen some of the players!”

But, the curtain raiser on Friday 18th July will be a traditional 15-a-side rugby match between a Classic Lions team and a Newquay Hornets Presidents Invitation team.

Both teams will include international players of proven reputation and ability, with eleven International capped players and five British Lions amongst those on the field, promising a spectacle for all lovers of fast flowing quality rugby. This match will kick-off the three day event at Newquay Sports Centre on Friday 18th July, at 6.30pm.

“This will be followed by a Grand Presentation Dinner for players, sponsors and guests all in aid of the Wooden Spoon Charity.”

Here are just a few of the players who will be present:

Tim Stimpson - Leicester, England and British Lions
Ben Clarke - Bath, England and British Lions
Paul Volley - Wasps, Harlequins and England
Rory ‘Bosh’ Jenkins - Harlequins and England
Dave Egerton - Bath, England and British Lions
Iain Perkins - Newquay Hornets, Wasps and South West
Seru Rabeni - Leicester and Fiji
Marcel Garvey - Gloucester, Worcester and England
Joe Bearman - Newquay Hornets, Cornish Pirates and Newport Gwent Dragons
Steve Boyle - Gloucester, England and British Lions
Alan Morley - Bristol, England and British Lions
Jason Keyter - Newquay Hornets, Harlequins and USA
Luke Narraway - Gloucester and England
Matt & Luke Arscott - Bristol

The ACORN Newquay Surf 7’s International Rugby 2008 event is supporting one of the UK and Irelands fastest growing charities, the Wooden Spoon Society. Hopefully, the estimated £12,000 raised will assist in supporting and improving life for disadvantaged children and young people.”

“In a positive vote of support for Newquay, we welcome the Acorn Property Group as the main Sponsor of theACORN Newquay Surf 7’s International Rugby 2008 competition,” said Graham Hooper, tournament spokesman.

“Acorn is very keen to back the charitable aims of Wooden Spoon throughout Cornwall, giving us the firm bedrock needed to achieve a successful tournament. Acorn Property Group are regeneration specialists, and are currently investing more than £70m in seven separate new developments in and around Newquay, whilst actively seeking other sites across the South West.”

“Top quality International Referees such as Tony Spreadbury and Chas White, with the support of Referees from all over the UK, will ensure a great weekend of fun and enjoyment for players and spectators of all ages.”

The party and festival atmosphere will be assisted by various events. Including, a Friday afternoon Cornish Schools Tag Rugby Competition as a warm-up to the evenings International Rugby event, a Royal Navy Sea King rescue helicopter landing on the pitch, a surf simulator, and of course locally made refreshments of all types.

For further information contact:

Andy Hawken 07977 173054 andy@skinnersbrewery.com
(Tournament Organiser)

Graham Hooper 07831 606850 hioopy@btinternet.com
(Marketing and Promotions)

Rick Hopkins 07974 829906 rick.hopkins@btopenworld.com
(Media Liaison)