SUNSHINE SEVENS
SUNSHINE SEV
The Challenge Packaging 68th Sunshine Sevens
EGRFC hosted the Challenge Packaging 68th Sunshine Sevens on Sunday 26th April in another year of glorious sunshine! – and what a difference it made.
Three competitions were planned – Men’s Elite – Men’s Open – Women’s Open, but unfortunately with the pressures of the last women’s league fixtures we couldn’t get enough support.
SAVE THE DATE: 25th April 2027! – 69th Sunshine Sevens. Building for the BIG ONE 70 years old….. You will find the entry form for next year below
The sun certainly brings the crowds out and they were well entertained with high calibre sevens rugby in both Men’s Elite and Open.
This Years Winners
Last year was a great year for the Sevens tournament and the Birch grove Golf day.
The Presentations Party consisted of local Conservative MP Mims Davies and East Grinstead Mayor of East Grinstead John Belsey - Garry Gordon Sunshine Sevens chair, and Colin Prior from Main sponsor Challenge Packaging.
Mims Davies thanked EGRFC for all the hard work that goes into the event and the good that it does for the local children’s charities.
Garry Gordon thanked the organising committee, catering staff, and ground staff for again putting on fantastic event. We were also joined for lunch by all of the local charities that we have supported this year, no doubt hoping that will be able to surpass the £42,000 we raised last year.
Finally, thanks must also go to our main sponsor Colin Prior, Challenge Packaging for their continued support and Steve Rogers from Penny farthing for his generosity.
Sunshine 7s Chairman
Garry Gordon
Mens Elite
The Elite Tournament – Last year’s winners RGH Shogun Akita were back to defend the Lady Astor trophy, with the Shogun family have their most successful season last year. Strong opposition were there to make the challenge.
Results all afternoon were pretty close which emphasised that any side could win this year.
With the quarter finals being some of the best games, it was set up for some big clashes in the Semi-finals. Saints 7 came through strong beating RGH Shogun Sopporro 30-5. In the Other semi Final RGH Shogun Akita got past Hammerheads to reach another final 26-14.
A great final saw RGH Shogun Akita win 22-7 and retain the Lady Astor of Hever trophy.
Mens Plate
The Men's Elite Plate was won by RGH Shogun Osaka , who beat the Apache Raiders in their final 24-21
In the Open Plate, we welcomed Ventnor RFC who just missed out on silverware loosing 29-17 to a strong Saints side.
Men's Open
With some late changes, this was a great and competitive tournament. Some really competitive games early on it was a young, but hungry East Grinstead side that set the pace, playing great sevens, but such was the strength and depth of the 7 Burgers sides that it was an all “Burgers” final.
7 Burgers Stayin True beating 7Burgers Bussin 40-17.
EGRFC Sunshine Sevens Charity Donations – A Perfect Day.
EGRFC Sunshine Sevens Charity Donations – A Perfect Day.
The Sunshine Sevens Committee invited this year’s charities and causes to the pre-match lunch recently at East Grinstead Rugby Club. As charity chair, Gary had the pleasure of hosting and handing out almost £42,000 pounds to local children’s charities and good causes. The money is raised annually through the long established Sunshine Sevens rugby tournament which is entering its sixty eighth year and the charity Golf day held at the fabulous Birch Grove estate.
Each recipient was presented with their donation and updated how important these donations are with less and less funding streams being available.
Step by Step for Autism - £10,000 to carry on the many projects within the school.
Wooden Spoon Sussex - £10,000 which will allow them to carry out more local projects.
CREW – Queen Victoria hospital charity – £4,750. Toward the cost of taking young patients with burn injuries on an adventure weekend to the Isle of Wight.
Court Meadow Riding for the Disabled – £4000 to support the cost of ponies which create such a calming experience.
Tadpoles Swimming club, Kings Centre – £3,000 to support the running of the club and purchase much needed equipment.
Local schools, Sackville and Imberhorne – £4,000 each to support students who would otherwise not be able to go on trips or receive counselling.
Champion Chanzige Tanzania – received £2,000. With local schools visiting Tanzania on trips, this charity id helping young people learn how to deliver a more sustainable way of living, growing food and making clothing etc.
What a great year a lets hope the look to make the 68th even better.
Helping us Help the Kids.