Dubai Rugby Sevens will add 16-team netball tournament to schedule in December

The three-day annual sporting extravaganza, being held this year from December 3-5, will also feature 16 netball teams playing for the inaugural netball trophy.

Dubai Rugby Sevens organizers believe the inclusion of a netball tournament is an important step in providing even more opportunities for involvement. Courtesy photo

DUBAI // The Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens is one of the most popular and eagerly anticipated events on the Dubai sporting calendar, and this year promises to be even bigger and better with the announcement that for the first time ever the event will also feature a netball tournament.

The three-day annual sporting extravaganza, being held this year from December 3-5, is now in its 46th year and attracts the world’s best players vying for honours in the Men’s and Women’s Sevens World Series, as well as over three thousand players in 250 teams in the Invitation Tournament.

In a decision which reflects the growth and diversity of the event, joining them at the Sevens this year will be over 16 netball teams playing for the inaugural netball trophy.

“The Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens is not just about the rugby, although of course that is the centrepiece of this iconic event,” Emirates Group spokesperson Gary Chapman said.

“This event is significant in that it showcases Dubai, and brings the city together like no other event on the sporting calendar. It is a celebration of sport and plays an important role in attracting visitors from around the region and around the world, and the addition of the netball tournament will increase the appeal and reach of the event even further.

“We are very proud of our reputation as a great event for families and for those who are not necessarily die-hard rugby supporters. Embracing the whole community and providing exciting and innovative entertainment and services for all the family has always been of paramount importance to us.

“We are pleased to announce the inclusion of the netball tournament which we believe is an important step in providing even more opportunities for involvement in this wonderful event.”

Invitation Tournament manager Jill Conlon said: “The Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens is unique in that it is the only event on the Sevens World Series which hosts multiple tournaments concurrently, the Men’s Sevens World Series, the Women’s Sevens World Series and the Invitation Tournament, which now includes the Netball tournament, all at the one location.

“The Invitation Tournament is one of the most prestigious in the world and last year we had a record 223 teams competing across 15 divisions, and we anticipate that the netball tournament will also be extremely popular, both locally and internationally.

“We will be releasing application details on the website shortly, so interested teams can lodge their entries.”

Orders can be placed now on the tournament website for Corporate Hospitality and reserved seating for the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, with general admission tickets available from early August.

In excess of 100,000 visitors are again expected to attend the event and enjoy one of the region’s favourite sporting and social occasions.

For information about the event, visit them online at dubairugby7s.com.

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