When the Kiama Sevens kicked off for the first time, it was a humble affair, just eight teams, all local sides from the Illawarra, with a few wildcard entries.

Former Wallaby and inaugural Kiama Sevens player Garry Grey vividly recalls those early days, sharing his memories with a mix of pride and wry humour. "With four internationals in the Kiama side, we basically had to win. There was a lot of pressure on us."

Garry remembers how one of the early sides was a team backed by the Gerringong Hotel, fielding some well-known league players, including Mick and John Cronin and a Western Suburbs first-grader. "Had the rest of their squad not indulged in celebratory drinks throughout the day, they might have proved tougher competition. But Kiama held firm, securing victory in that inaugural tournament - an essential win, as losing could have meant the whole competition collapsing before it had a chance to take off."

According to Garry, Kiama’s early dominance continued, clinching back-to-back wins, but by year three, powerhouse club Randwick had stepped in, ending the local streak.

That loss still stings for Garry, who remains convinced a referee’s mistake cost Kiama a historic third title. "If the referee hadn’t penalised me for a scrum feed - which was ridiculous - we would've won three in a row" That decision is still front of mind for Garry. "I know if we ran into each other today I would find it very difficult not to remind him of “the worst mistake he ever made."

Beyond the competition itself, Garry reflects on the challenges of playing in an era when rugby union was strictly amateur. "Professional league players were paid. Rugby Union was very proud of its amateur status. You might call it a badge of honour. 

Back then, you weren’t allowed to switch between codes. If a player moved to league, they were ostracised in union. Even referees like Ray Cleary, who was involved in both, faced bans. It was taken very seriously."

Reflecting on Kiama’s rugby history, Garry is proud of the exceptional players the town has produced over the years. The Sevens tournament, he notes, has seen its fair share of Wallabies and league greats.

One of the most striking insights Garry shares about Rugby Sevens isn’t about the men’s game at all, but about the rise of women’s rugby.

"Women play better than men. They're more athletic, and they give it everything for all 14 minutes of the game. A former NSW coach once told me that coaching women is easier - they actually do what you tell them. Coach men, and they’ll tell you why they can’t do it."

These days, Garry enjoys watching his children and grandchildren participate in a variety of sports, reflecting on how much the sporting landscape has evolved over the years.

For him, the Kiama Sevens has come a long way from its modest beginnings, growing into one of Australia’s premier rugby events.

And for those who were there at the start, like him, the memories, the triumphs, and the pride that this event has not only survived but thrived

The 53rd Kiama Sevens tournament will be held at the Kiama Showground, Kiama on Saturday, 22 February 2025 commencing at 8:00 am.