Case Study - Rugby Sevens

Rugby sevens is a variant of rugby union in which only seven players per side feature, instead of the full 15. The version of rugby union is very popular, with notable competitions including the IRB Sevens World Series and the Rugby World Cup Sevens. Rugby sevens is also played at events such as the Commonwealth Games.

Rugby Sevens was invented by a butcher in Scotland in 1883. This demonstrates that with the right product (a great spectator sport) the potential is unlimited. Today, tournaments are held in almost every one of the 96 countries in membership of the IRB.

The establishment of the Rugby World Cup Sevens was the inevitable consequence of the game's global expansion, and the World Sevens Series, launched by the IRB in 1999, has introduced the game into many new territories. Since its inception the Series has been played in 16 countries across 5 continents and no fewer than 46 countries have participated.

Such has been the success of Sevens, the IOC recently allowed the sport to be included in the Olympic Games. Rugby Sevens will make its Olympic debut in Rio in 2016.

This begs the question – could Australian football ever be included in the Olympic Games? Of course there are those who would say it is an impossible dream, and there is no doubt that it would be a long, hard road. AFL 9s, however, does at least give us a fighting chance.

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