NSW Rugby development officer Will Campbell with former rugby player Alex Gibbon at Queen Elizabeth Park in Casino.
DYLAN BUTCHER
It was a day of rugby as more than 500 high school students played at Queen Elizabeth Park in Casino yesterday, Wednesday, July 29.
The annual Ray White Casino & Kyogle Alex Gibbon Cup highlights the growth of rugby sevens across the Northern Rivers.
Named after former Australian rugby sevens representative Alex Gibbon, this year’s tournament brought together boys and girls teams in Under-14, Under-16 and Under-18 age groups.
It was held at Queen Elizabeth Park for the first time where six full-sized fields could accommodate the tournament with schools travelling from Grafton to the Tweed to compete. 
Did we win?
Mr Gibbon said grassroots events like this tournament were essential to rebuilding participation in rugby.
“To get more than 500 kids here for a weekend is massive – not just for the area, but for rugby itself,” he said.
Mr Gibbon said rugby sevens had become an increasingly important pathway for young players, particularly following its inclusion as an Olympic sport.
“It’s really important to get all these schools involved and create a competitive environment. Rugby league and AFL have done this really well, and this tournament helps rugby union build those same opportunities for young players.”
St Mary’s students.
He said the tournament was also helping identify talented local players, with several participants from previous years now attending leading rugby schools and progressing through representative pathways.
“There’s some exciting talent here. Last year there were kids who have now gone on to boarding schools in Brisbane because of their rugby, and that’s exactly the sort of opportunity these tournaments can create,” Mr Gibbon said.
NSW Rugby development officer Will Campbell said the tournament continued to grow each year.
“Each year it just gets bigger and better. The schools are building great rivalries and the students love coming back to compete. It’s become one of the best rugby events we run on the Northern Rivers,” he said. 
They played hard.
Mr Campbell said the event was about far more than just one day of competition.
“This is Round One of the tournament, with the finals to be played on August 19. The winners from each age division will then progress to the NSW State Finals, giving local players the opportunity to compete against the best school rugby teams in the state.”
He said rugby sevens also complemented other football codes and provided another pathway for talented athletes.
Top game. Photos: Contributed
“Sevens is fast, exciting and accessible. It develops the skills that make great footballers – passing, catching, speed and one-on-one defence – while giving young athletes another opportunity to represent their region and their state.”