June 23, 2017
Denver 7s
Photo: Denver Sevens
The 50th Annual Denver Rugby 7s Rugby Tournament is one of the oldest and most prestigious rugby tournaments in the United States. It is being held on Saturday, June 24, 2017 at Dicks Sporting Goods Park, 6000 Victory Way, Commerce City, Colorado.
The tournament is a qualifying tournament for the Frontier Region, but also has brackets in the Men’s Club, Men’s Social, and Boys’ High School division.
The local side the Denver Barbarians, a tournament favorite, traveled to San Diego last weekend for the OMBAC 7s and won the tournament over prominent Southern California sides. In the tournament’s history, they have won the event 21 times, with 13 of the wins from 2001 to 2015. They have also qualified for the USA Rugby club 7s National Championship 22 times, appearing in the finals seven times, but are still seeking their first title.
The team has two Eagles 7s players on the squad in Ben Pinkelman and Kevon Williams. and are joined by former Collegiate All-Americans Michael Al-Jiboori and Nick Boyer. In addition, Maximo de Achaval is an outstanding club player.
Other contending teams include Rugby Utah, who won the title in 2016, as well as the National Club 7s Championship. They will be led by Eagles 7s player Don Pati.
The Kansas City Blues appeared in last year’s final and have added players from Lindenwood University, as well as Reece Czarnecki from Davenport University.
The Elite Division also includes the Omaha GOATS and the Gentlemen of Aspen.
Tournament Director, Howard Kent told USA Rugby that “the venue at Dick’s Sporting Good Park is likely the best combination of a professional stadium with adjoining fields in the world. This has enabled the Denver 7s Tournament to grow into an event that can cater to both premier-level teams as well as community based adult and youth clubs.”
If in the area, the Denver 7s is an outstanding event to view excellent rugby 7s. For those that will be elsewhere, the event will be streamed live on Florugby.com. For more information on Denver 7s, visit the event’s website and Facebook page.
To view the teams entered and the tournament schedule, click here.
