Earlier in the season Fifteen Rugby teamed up with SRG Elite Sportswear, making them our kit partner.
As an exciting new company, their commitment to producing outstanding kit, of the highest quality and at a competitive price, appealed to us. So too did their ambition to do something beyond mere kit sales.
One such different and exciting project is the SRG Beach 7s Festival, which promises to be a fantastic weekend of 7-a-side rugby in the first weekend of June.
Ahead of the Festival, we spoke to the founder of SRG, Sam Sargeant, who told us all about it.
XV: Hi Sam, good to chat again, tell us about how the Festival started up?
Sam Sargeant: It started around 2 years ago when we set out our plan for SRG Elite Sportswear, we wanted an event to run along side for a fun filled day of rugby. The more we looked into it, we realised the big events are all down south, with Newquay, Bournemouth & London. So our aim is to grow the event to that scale but for the East.
XV: How many teams will be there, and where and when will it be held?
SS: The Festival runs from Friday 3rd June to Sunday 5th June at Peterborough Rugby Club, PE1 5 XA. 34 teams are set to come, and they will be spread across four tournaments, providing a range of levels of rugby.
XV: What are the various levels, and what are my chances of winning a trophy?!
SS: The top tournament is the Ricky Fever Elite Cup, which is also a regional qualifier for the England Community 7s National Series, so a win at the SRG Beach 7s Festival sends you through to the next round.
We then have the Audi Peterborough Social Cup as the second tier men’s tournament. There is also the Tradelink Women’s 7s Cup, and also the Vivacity Touch Cup, for those who want a more relaxing weekend!
As for silverware, each team has a strong chance of winning something, all competitions have a Cup and Plate tournament, so there are 8 trophies up for grabs in total.
XV: What else is going on, it’s a weekend long Festival, so there must be plenty?
SS: We have plenty going on off the field too, so everyone is sure to have a great time whether the rugby is going well or not!
There will be two Zorbing courses, which is great fun, I would definitely suggest everyone has a go! Dirty House Wives DJ Zoe Roberts and Friends will be playing tunes on the patio, there’s a Fun Fair, plenty of food, drink, and ice cream stands, as well as an SRG Elite kit store, among other business stands.
One particularly exciting opportunity is the chance to play wheelchair rugby against the England Wheelchair 7s side, a brilliant opportunity to play what is an increasingly popular and exciting sport!
XV: What will it cost for teams to go?
SS: Team entry is just £75, and it costs just £5 per person to camp, which includes both Friday and Saturday night. We are also doing packages that include entry costs and supply of camping kit, you can just email us at info@srgelite.com or connect with us on Twitter @SRGElite – There is also plenty of information available at www.srgbeach7s.com
We also have a VIP area for our Sponsors and any Special Guests.
XV: It sounds great, we will certainly be there, and hopefully we will soon start seeing plenty of schools in SRG kit.
SS: Thanks guys, yes, it would be great to see as many schools as possible starting to wear SRG Elite kit, we believe that we have some real cutting edge technology and design in our kit and crucially we are able to deliver this quickly and to sustain that top end technology and design for all.
