HSBC Sponsors World’s Biggest Sevens Tournament

HSBC and the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens Tournament have signed a new sponsorship deal which sees the bank extend its investment in Rugby Sevens since the decision to include the sport in the Olympic Games from 2016.

The Rosslyn Park HSBC National Schools Sevens will be staged from  March 28th until  April 1st .  The 7,500 participants are aged from 13 to 19 with boys and girls taking part in the various different competitions during the week.  Over 700 teams of all levels from across the UK as well as five international visiting teams from Denmark, Spain, Nigeria, Romania and Kenya, play in the tournament, which is now in its 72nd year.

Ben Ryan, England Sevens head coach, commented: “The National Schools Sevens is a fantastic event and one that showcases the talents of the England Sevens players of the future. The bulk of the current England squad taking part in the HSBC Sevens World Series have played - and won - there in recent years and the likes of Ollie Lindsay-Hague have stepped up into the international game. That’s a testament to the health of the game in our schools and the stage that Rosslyn Park provides.”

Speaking on the announcement, Giles Morgan, Head of Group Sponsorship for HSBC Holdings plc said, “HSBC has a long term investment in rugby and is proud to add the world’s biggest schools Sevens tournament to our portfolio.  An important part of all of our rugby sponsorships is the aim to help develop and grow the sport – both XVs and Sevens – and by working with Rosslyn Park, we hope to ensure even more youngsters are excited and committed to the sport over the coming years.  Not only do thousands of children of all ages play in the tournament, but schools who have only played rugby for one season also participate in the tournament enabling youngsters of all abilities and experience to be part of the same event.

“This is a tremendous occasion that is known and loved throughout the rugby world, and HSBC is looking forward to partnering such a major youth event over the coming years.”