Following the success of this year’s event, South Island Sevens promises to be bigger and better than ever.
The elite sports event is moving from Ventnor Rugby Club to Ryde School where it will become a multi-sport event.
Feature seven more activities
Speaking to Ryde Town Council on Monday night, organiser Chris Fletcher announced the event will now also feature crossfit; netball; stand-up paddleboarding; skateboarding; beach rugby fives; mountain biking and kite foiling.
Variety of venues
While Ryde School will play host to the main event, Appley Beach will hold the athlete’s village, NUKU crossfit challenge and watersports, with the Canopy Skatepark in Chale and the IW Mountain Bike Centre at Shorwell also featuring as venues.
It is thought big screens will relay live footage of events to different locations.
Showcasing elite sports
Mr Fletcher expected around 2,000 athletes and 2,000 spectators at the event on 22nd and 23rd July.
The growing event would showcase elite sports to children.
Fletcher: An opportunity to deliver something completely unique
He said,
“Elite sport does not happen on the Island. This is an opportunity to deliver something completely unique — I cannot find an event in the UK that offers something similar.
“I started the event due to my frustration of what was considered an OK level to achieve in sport; I absolutely don’t believe that is the case. The only way to change that is showing children what elite sports look like and how elite sportsmen and women act.”
Following footsteps of South Island Schools Cup
Mr Fletcher said in the weeks before the event, open children’s sessions would be held, following in the footsteps of the South Island Schools Cup that took place last year.
He said,
“There are limitations to the Island, as nowhere outside Ryde School has more than two rugby pitches.”
£10,000 given to event
Thinking of the significant investment the event could bring to Ryde in 2023, and the potential in following years, the town council unanimously agreed to give £10,000 towards the event — the same level of contribution it gives towards Isle of Wight Pride.
Lilley: A positive sell for Ryde
Mayor Michael Lilley said with the likes of the Wight Wave Beach Festival and now the South Island Sevens held in the town, it would really help develop events and be a positive sell for Ryde.
Mr Fletcher is working in partnership with Wightlink and Red Funnel, and in discussions with Hovertravel and the Classic Bus Museum about getting athletes and spectators to and around the Island.
Other Island businesses like Snows BMW and Thatcher’s Cider are also sponsoring the event.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
Image: tim mossholder under CC BY 2.0
