Sevens is the key to global rugby growth. Unless you have been hiding under a rock or have zero interest in rugby, then youll be well aware that its a Rugby World Cup year and the William Webb Ellis Trophy will be returning to its native land even if it doesnt plan on staying very long! It goes without saying, this tournament will be the biggest yet, with broadcast, digital and social media playing a huge part in reaching audiences in all corners of the globe. But are the countries that arent in the 20 nation tournament that fussed? Probably not the game of rugby is still growing and the 15s game doesnt appeal much beyond the markets where its established. But the recently rebranded World Rugby is trying to grow the games global footprint and take it to new markets, not through the complex 15s game, but through Sevens. A game that is much shorter, easier to understand and arguably more electrifying and fast paced. World Rugby is using this quick game format to engage non rugby fans in rugby markets that are still in their infancy. They feel the party style atmosphere and simplified game format is much more digestible for audiences who are new to the sport, helping to position the sport as more obtainable and removing the big barriers to entry.

Spotlight on: Rugby Sevens By Simon Hearn

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This week the HSBC Sevens World Series is in London for the final round of the tournament and for the 4th successive year the tournament is a sell out on day 1. The competition has gone from strength to strength over the years and its now a staple in many peoples social and sporting calendar. And this isnt something we are just seeing in London; the infamous Hong Kong Sevens continues to grow and is the must do event of the schedule. "Over the last 40 years, Hong Kong has been the game-changer, the game-grower and the game-inspirer - and this wonderful event continues to be a driving force behind the sevens success story said World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper. A market, similar to Dubai, where rugby isnt considered a big sport, Sevens is popular with the expat community and continually growing its local fan base. For 2015/16, the organisers have decided to grow the schedule from 9 cities to 10, adding in Singapore, Vancouver, Sydney and Cape Town to the tour. Many of these new markets are using their inclusion in the Sevens circuit as a catalyst for change in their own countries and beyond, especially given rugbys values of respect, integrity, discipline, passion and solidarity. Singapore Rugby Union President Low Teo Ping said: "Engaging rugby in Asia and growing the sport in Singapore is our prime vision for the tournament and the key associated events and community

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outreach as part of this tournament will be critical to the long-term sustainability of rugby as we strive to ignite passion in the next generation of players and fans in Singapore, South-east Asia and ultimately across Asia." The announcement comes as rugby participation in Asia continues to grow with 445,000 men, women and children actively enjoying the sport, an increase of nearly one-third over four years. Undisputedly, the biggest win for Sevens, World Rugby and the sport as a whole, is the re-inclusion of rugby in the Olympics, starting with Rio next year. The Olympics brings another level of exposure and a totally new global audience for World Rugby to sell their game to. As medals are now up for grabs, Im sure lots of countries Olympic governing bodies will start funding their nations rugby team development. I wouldnt be surprised if we soon see the rise of Chinese, Russian and German rugby teams on the Sevens circuit. Maybe not in time for 2016, but by 2020, expect these guys to be challenging in some capacity. Some of the nations beyond the stereotypical rugby countries are already gaining momentum and experience from the World Series. Fiji are currently top of the 2014/15 series standings, a country that arent likely to be a big contender in the 15s game this September. USA, a country with a huge potential rugby audience, are in 6th, and the likes of Brazil, Russia, Portugal, Belgium and Kenya are all gaining experience on the tour. These are countries that www.octagon-uk.com | T: 020 7862 0000 2 Waterhouse Square, 140 Holborn London, UK EC1N 2AE

you wouldnt typically associate with the egg shaped ball but are buying into the rugby movement. Having more nations competing, can only do good things for the game. Its not just the crowd attendance and on the pitch performances that are improving - broadcast figures from the tour are also on the rise. The sixth round of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Hong Kong this year broke its own record, showing a staggering 347 hours live and delayed around the globe reaching 145 countries. Gosper said "Rugby sevens is going from strength to strength around the world with the 2013-14 HSBC Sevens World Series achieving a record total of 570,000 fans across the nine events with 5,000 hours of live coverage broadcast to 145 territories. Figures Im sure will continue to increase over the next few years.

The next 12 months are massive for World Rugby, not just because of Rugby World Cup. The new sevens circuit and inclusion in the Olympics will be massive for a sport that continues to go from strength to strength. As a big rugby fan, I cant wait to see the sport I love grow globally. In the meantime, Ill be at Twickenham this Saturday in my fancy dress outfit ready for a party! In line with the Galactic theme: to infinity, and beyond

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Spotlight on: Rugby SevensBy Simon HearnSlide Number 2Slide Number 3Slide Number 4Slide Number 5Slide Number 6Slide Number 7