Lisboa Junior Sevens Rugby Tournament 2019 – Review

This weekend the LISBON JUNIOR 7s 2019 showcased some of the best young talents in sevens rugby. Taking place at Complexo Desportivo de Agronomia (Lisbon), more than 150 games were contested by over 1000 players in the U14, U16 and U18 age levels.

The event has exploded in popularity, with almost two times the number of players taking part compared with the first tournament in 2018.  Also interesting to see this year was the participation of teams from South Africa, Dubai and England. In total, a staggering 51 teams were represented at the LISBON JUNIOR 7s 2019 Tournament, making it the largest Rugby Sevens tournament in the country.

The glorious Portuguese weather did not disappoint either with both days of the competition blessed with beautiful blue skies and sunshine, providing the ideal conditions for the bustling tournament.

There was some fantastic rugby on display for those the gathered crowds, the Rugby Sevens format providing an ideal mix of skill, speed and strength.  With matches lasting just 14 minutes each, the action was fast and furious, possession changing hands at the drop of a hat and players frequently making heart pounding sprints over the length of the field.   The level of competition at this year’s tournament was impressive, with Direito (Portugal), Rugby Barbarians (South Africa) and CR Técnico (Portugal) claiming the King of Sevens 2019 title in the under14, under16 and under18 age levels respectively. Individual trophies were presented to Manuel Vareiro (G.D. Direito), Henrico Cobertt (Rugby Barbarians) and Tomás Aquino (C.R. Técnico) winning the Best Player of Tournament Award in in the under14, under16 and under18 age levels respectively.

Sports Ventures and Tournament organizer José Diogo Trigo de Moraes was full of praise for everyone who was involved at the event.  “It has been really incredible to see how this tournament has grown in only two short years. The support from Câmara Municipal de Lisboa, Agronomia Rugby and all sponsors and partners GLS Portugal, Água do Luso, Sagres, Junta de Freguesia de Alcântara, Lusifor, Wolfcare, Ground, Adarm (Madrid Rugby Referees Society) and FPR (Federação Portuguesa de Rugby) and the rugby community has been amazing, we really owe so much to the dozens of people who helped make this tournament possible.  The commitment from the players is fantastic too, and it’s great to see just how much they enjoy themselves playing sevens rugby. Portuguese Rugby needs to put sevens rugby back on top of their priorities and this tournament hopes to contribute to that goal. Sevens rugby in our country desperatly needs better and much more attention from the Portuguese Rugby Union.”

Sports Ventures would like to thank all of the players, coaches, parents and referees for their enthusiasm and contribution over the weekend. We are already looking forward to next year´s tournament to be played on the 8^th and 9^th of February 2019.

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