The 53rd annual Kiama Sevens tournament will be held at the Kiama Showground on Saturday, 22 February 2025, starting at 8am - and the local tournament has grown to become one of the biggest events on the Australian rugby calendar.

With 44 teams confirmed and 15 on standby, the Kiama Sevens stands out as one of the largest and most prestigious sevens tournaments in the nation, especially as many other tournaments are folding, says tournament director Mark Bryant.

“We’re in our 53rd year, and it’s great to see, especially with so many tournaments going under. For example, the Southern Highlands Sevens in Bowral won’t be held for the second year in a row. The Byron Bay Sevens, which was held in November, was taken over by New South Wales Rugby, and they reduced the teams from 32 down to 16,” says Bryant.

“Terrigal Sevens doesn’t go ahead anymore, neither does Mudgee, and the Blue Mountains tournament has also ended. There was once a real circuit of sevens tournaments, but now Kiama Sevens is one of the biggest still going.”

The tournament boasts over $30,000 in prize money, which is split evenly between the men’s and women’s competitions. When asked about the equal prize distribution, Bryant emphasised that it was a matter of fairness.

Action packed football Photo Brian Scott

“They all play the same amount of time. It’s not an equality statement at all; it’s just about fairness. It’s never been an issue. Plus, I’ve often found that the women play harder than the men. They’re all very talented and athletic,” says Bryant.

Now officially the longest-running sevens competition in Australia, the Kiama Sevens is also the largest senior sevens competition in the country.

Bryant attributes the tournament’s success to several key factors. “We’ve evolved with the market. Our sponsors are crucial, which helps us stay afloat. We’re only an hour and a half from Sydney and two hours from Canberra, so it’s easy for people to attend. We have one of the top 50 rugby fields in the world. We’re very well-organized, and everyone knows what to expect. Plus, we’re located in beautiful Kiama. People can have a swim after a game, everyone loves it,” says Bryant.

The Kiama Sevens features seven different competitions. Last year, the Warringah team claimed the top men’s division, while the Burra Rays took out the women’s top division. Bryant expects a large crowd for the 2025 tournament.

“We should see around 5,000 people throughout the day, with people coming and going. It’s a great crowd because the area is so big, with two fields in use. As teams get knocked out, people start leaving, and by 3pm, you’ll see plenty of locals showing up to watch the finals,” says Bryant.

Now officially the longest-running sevens competition in Australia, the Kiama Sevens is also the largest senior sevens competition in the country.

This year, the Kiama Sevens is supporting the Hearts in Rugby Union charity, which helps players who have suffered severe life-changing injuries during rugby games. All participating clubs will be raising funds for the charity, and anyone wishing to donate can do so here: Hearts in Rugby Union Donation.

The Kiama Sevens is also looking for volunteers to help on the day. If you're interested, please email: [email protected].