Singapore welcomes the Global Rugby Family to the 2016 HSBC World Rugby Singapore Sevens

SINGAPORE, 13 April 2016 – The world’s best rugby teams have arrived in Singapore and are ready to rock, ruck and rumble at the 2016 HSBC World Rugby Singapore Sevens.

· 23 rugby nations gathered in Singapore – 16 world’s best for the HSBC World Sevens Series and seven including host nation taking part in South East Asia 7s

· Rugby legends like Waisale Serevi, Ollie Phillps, George Gregan, Stirling Mortock are among the 5,000 overseas visitors in town for this week’s global rugby celebration

· World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasett and Asia Rugby president Koji Tokumasu join other sports and business elites in Singapore for inaugural Asian Rugby Conference this Friday

The festivities kick off with an ancillary tournament, the South East Asia 7s, on Friday, April 15, at Yio Chu Kang Stadium with seven countries competing. Southeast Asian Games champion, Philippines, will take on Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Brunei and two Singapore sides in the men’s competition, while the women’s tournament features favourites Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos and Philippines. Both the men’s and women’s finals will then be played during the Pool stages of the HSBC World Rugby Singapore Sevens on Saturday, April 16, at the National Stadium.

The HSBC Singapore Sevens is the eighth leg of the 2015-2016 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and Fiji is looking to defend its Singapore crown which it won in 2006. In addition to world-class rugby, the two-day HSBC Singapore Sevens promises great entertainment as British superstar DJ Pete Tong will play an exclusive set after the conclusion of the Pool stages on day one, while local band Shirlyn & The UnXpected will rock the stadium on day two. Also, happening on Sunday is the first schoolboy Under 14 Schools Sevens final to be played at the National Stadium featuring ACS Independent and Raffles Institution.

Over the weekend, the family-friendly Fun Zone awaits rugby fans young and old. The young ones can try their hand at the ‘Rugby Superhero’ challenge stations while the young at heart can impress their friends and families at the ‘Skills Challenge Zone’. Parents can also enjoy some rugby action while their little ones are thoroughly entertained at the ‘Kids Drop Off Zone’. A pair of return air tickets to Fiji, courtesy of Fiji Airways, will also be given to the best dressed spectator each day, so expect to see plenty of rugby tribes all dressed up for the occasion.

“We are expecting over 50,000 spectators over two days at the National Stadium and all of them can expect a world class sporting event with great entertainment inside the stadium and around the Singapore Sports Hub,” said Mr Low Teo Ping, Chairman of Rugby Singapore. “The Singapore Sevens is not just for rugby fans, members of the public can also be part of this rugby carnival by visiting the Fun Zone outside Stadium MRT or join us at the ‘Music After 7’ three-day rock music festival and after-party at Clarke Quay. This is a global rugby celebration for everyone visiting or living in Singapore.”

“We are extremely pleased that the HSBC World Rugby Sevens has returned to our National Stadium. Beyond the rugby fraternity, the community-at-large in Singapore and the region are treated to top -class sporting action as the world’s top teams vie to win the series,” said Mr Lim Teck Yin, Chief Executive Officer, Sport Singapore. “We are also excited to see the South East Asia 7s finals and our National players from the Under 14 school boys Sevens in the line-up of matches, adding local and regional flavour to the international tournament series. We hope that events like these will continue to inspire Singaporeans to live better through sport.”

Spectators to this weekend’s HSBC Singapore Sevens can also take the shuttle bus service from the National Stadium to Clarke Quay for the rugby after-party on Saturday and Sunday nights by showing their tickets.

“As the only Southeast Asian country to host the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, we hope that Singapore will become the centre of world-class rugby action this weekend. Fans can look forward to a fantastic experience at the event and around the city, with the complementary line-up of family-friendly activities and exciting lifestyle offerings,” said Ms Jean Ng, Director, Sports, Singapore Tourism Board.

Besides the festivities at the Singapore Sports Hub and Official After Party venue Clarke Quay, several rugby legends like Fiji legend Waisale Serevi, former England star Ollie Phillps and Australian great George Gregan are also in Singapore this week to conduct training clinics and meet and greet sessions.

“We are thrilled to be able to bring the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series to Singapore this week, introducing one of the world’s fastest growing sports to new audiences here,” said Mr Giles Morgan, HSBC, Global Head of Sponsorships and Events. “2016 is such a pivotal year for rugby, not just globally through the Olympics, but especially so in Asia, with the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series hosting two of the tournaments in Singapore and Hong Kong.”

With Singapore and Asia rugby firmly in the limelight this week, Rugby Singapore and the Asian Rugby Business Club are organising the inaugural Asian Rugby Conference this Friday at Novotel Clarke Quay for over 100 business and sports elites. Among the speakers are World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasett, Asia Rugby president Koji Tokumasu and Australian rugby great Stirling Mortlock.

Last but not least, a Charity Gala Dinner will also be held this Friday at the Sports Hub with over 500 guests expected. A charity auction will be conducted and all proceeds will go to SportCares, the appointed charity of the HSBC Singapore Sevens.

“The Singapore Sports Hub is thrilled to be hosting the HSBC World Rugby Singapore Sevens at the National Stadium, and welcoming international rugby teams and patrons from around the region,” said Sports Hub’s CEO Mr Manu Sawhney. “The National Stadium will be a vibrant hive of action this weekend, with activities like the Under-14’s Schools Sevens Final on Sunday 17 April, the family friendly Fun Zone and entertainment by British DJ Pete Tong alongside top-notch international rugby action. We look forward to Singaporeans, our regional patrons and the global rugby fraternity having a great time at the Sports Hub and making the tournament an iconic event in our rugby calendar.”