SUNSHINE SEVENS
SUNSHINE SEV
The Challenge Packaging 68th Sunshine Sevens
Welcome to the Challenge Packaging 68th Sunshine Sevens, which will be held on Sunday 26th April at East Grinstead RFC.
This year we will be holding our three tournaments, Mens Elite - Mens Open - Womens Open
You will find the entry forms for these here
This year for the Men’s and Women’s Open we are supporting Sussex 7’s Series – those teams that have entered the Series will get FREE ENTRY to the Sunshine Opens as a Warm up!
If you haven’t entered the Series please enter as normal taking advantage of the Earlybird offer.
Last Years Winners
Last year was a great year for the Sevens tournament and the Birch grove Golf day.
Sunshine 7s Chairman
The Presentations Party had the Mayor of East Grinstead, Stephen Ody - Garry Gordon Sunshine Sevens chair, and Colin Prior from Main sponsor Challenge Packaging.
Garry Gordon thanked the organising committee and ground staff for again putting on fantastic event, and hopefully the Sunshine Sevens can donate more than the £42,000 it did last year.
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.
Gary Gordon
Mens Elite
Last years winners Ramblin Jesters faced strong opposition this year with new Elite side joining the chase for the Lady Astor of Hever trophy. Hammerheads, Saints 7 and Norway 7 certainly bolstered an already strong field.
Results all afternoon were pretty close which emphasised that any side could this year. With the quarter finals being some of the best games, it was two of the Shogun side Osaka and Akita made it through to face Jesters and Apache Raiders. Osaka 32 Jesters 14, and Akita 32 Raiders 10.
So with a Shogun – Shogun final it was as hard fought as any with Shogun Akita winning 26-0. Great to see the Shogun family picking up the Lady Astor trophy as they have been so close on so many occasions.
Mens Plate
In the Plate semi-finals Apache Braves beat a spirited Ratana Toa, with Wooden Spoon Marauders just losing out to Mavericks.
Final could have gone either way, but Mavericks came out on top 17-10.
Men's Open
With a few late drop outs this was a still a great and competitive tournament. As always, the EGRFC players conjured up a replacement side – the evening before – producing the aptly named side 7 Burgers, who gave a good account of themselves to be fair.
It was left to East Grinstead and Saints 7 to decide it in the final which ended up 24-24. Saints winning through on points difference.
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.