Dear Players, Spectators & Friends,

welcome to the 48th annual New York Sevens rugby tournament. Today, we welcome over 90 teams to play in America’s largest seven-a-side tournament. For those of you who have traveled from near or from as far away as the United Kingdom, Bermuda, Asia, Ireland, Canada and many others, it is truly a pleasure to be here with you. As we have said many times, the teams are what make this tournament, so thank you for continuing to come back year after year.

New York has a reputation of being big, tough and abrasive. Therefore we hold our Sevens tourney (big) in the winter (tough) on Randall’s Island (abrasive—though hopefully slightly less so with the addition of a state-of-the-art artificial turf pitch for the premier division and finals this year!). Do not despair, as it is also our desire that you see the more hospitable side of our great city; a sample of which will be seen at Connolly’s Pub and Restaurant following the tournament.

Of course, none of these efforts are possible without the support and involvement of various partners. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors and supporters including the New York Press, Steamroller Rugby and Steinlager.

We would also like to specifically thank the medical staff that handles the task of tending to the many bumps and scrapes that are inevitable when nearly 1,000 players play over 180 matches in a single day. So thank you to Dr. Lisa Bartoli for all of your work throughout the year for the Club, including leading the medical effort at the New York Sevens, and thank you to Corona Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Professional PT physical therapy and Dr. Robert Gotlin and fellows, who work along with Dr. Bartoli at Beth Israel Medical Center, for helping to keep the NY Sevens a safe and fun event for all.

On behalf of the NY Sevens’ organizers, volunteers and the whole New York Rugby Club, we hope you all have fun at a uniquely “New York” experience, because that’s what this weekend and this game are all about. Thank you for coming to the New York Sevens.

Dave Levine

President - NYRC

Jessa Giordano

Tournament Director - NY Sevens