Regional law firm Kells is putting its name to the Kiama Sevens this year, signing up as the new naming rights sponsor for the event.

“As local lawyers we are always looking for opportunities to be more involved in the community, and this is one of Kiama’s iconic events,” says the Partner Michael Hatfield, who lives in Kiama and runs the Kiama office.

“The Kells Kiama Sevens will continue the fifty year old tradition which has become a pathway to representing Australia in the Sevens, through the HSBC competition and the Olympics.”

Tournament Director Mark Bryant says the event’s success is due to its established one day formula, with a minimum of three games leading to a knockout.

“Then there is the $36,000 in prize money plus trophies, and the attraction of visiting Kiama,” he says.

Michael Hatfield of Kells is looking forward to putting these pads around the goalposts

Nominations for the 32 mens teams and 16 womens teams were filled last November, with a dozen teams still hopefully on the waiting list. They will be converging on Kiama on 25 February.

“Randwick is back for the first time in eight years, as their new coach Stephen Hoiles is involved with the Australian Sevens program,” says Mark.

“At the same time, due to other coaching/management changes in the other direction, Waringah is not playing for the first time in 40 years and West Harbour, which has won a number of times in recent years, isn’t playing.

“It has left some very disappointed players, but given opportunity to others.”

The Kiama Sevens being promoted at the Rugby World Cup in South Africa

These include mens and womens teams from West Wylong and two teams from Victoria, Footscray and Box Hill.

Ahead of the draw being done on 10 February, Mark says his early favourites are Manly, Gordon and Box Hill for the mens competition, with Burraneer (last year’s winners - made up of Southern District players whose club didn’t want to nominate a team), Sydney Uni and Norths for the womens competition.

Again this year, the men and women will receive equal prize money of $7000 for winning the main competition – the Kiama Sevens Cup and the Sebel Kiama Sevens Womens Vase.

Denise Ovens presents last year's Cleary Brothers Sevens Cup to Gordon

Cleary Brothers has been a sponsor of the Kiama Sevens Cup since 2008.

“We’re polishing up the Cup for this year’s competition,” says Denise Ovens.

“It’s great to be involved in a local event that appreciated by the broader rugby community. It really does Kiama proud.”

Other prizes are sponsored by Rhino Sporting Equipment (Mens Bowl), Gates Haulage & Resources (Mens Country Cup), Droppoint (Womens second division) and Carter Ferguson Solicitors (Womens Country Cup).

Other sponsors are: Kiama Inn, Kiama Council, Destination Kiama, Raine and Horne Kiama, Niche Building Services, Integrity New Homes, Edwards Constructions, Illawarra Toyota, Tiffen & Co, Kiama Leagues Club, Victor Sports and Kiama Bowling Club.

“There are still opportunities for other businesses to sponsor aspects of the event, including the Plate for the winner of the battle between third and fourth in the mens comp,” says Mark.