Students from Barrington Public School and St Joseph’s Primary School spent Thursday, November 24 learning to play rugby union’s VIVA 7s at the Number 1 Oval.
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NSW Rugby development manager, James Perrett came to Gloucester with fellow development officers, Joel Copper and Graham Sonter, to teach the students a little bit about rugby.
The game is a non-contact version of rugby union, for both boy and girls, designed to introduce them to the sport in a non-threatening way.
James said it’s a way to encourage children to be active and get involved in sport.
They started the morning learning skills through training drills, learning to pass the ball and be quick on their feet.
“It’s all the same skills that are required to play normal rugby,” James said.
After spending a couple hours running after each other, the students stopped for a sausage sizzle, cooked by members of the Gloucester Cockies rugby team.
Once lunch was finished, they went back onto the field for the serious business of learning to play VIVA 7s.
The game requires seven players, either male, female or mixed in each team.
How to play:
The game consists of two seven minute halves with a two minute half-time break.
There is no time off for injury. Touches are allowed but not tackles, with seven touches to score before the ball is given to opposition.
Pass to a teammate or place the ball once you’re touched:
- Two seconds to pass.
- When ball goes over the sideline a quick throw takes place.
Kicking is allowed in general play, depending on age and skill.
Turnovers
The ball goes to the other team when the attacking team:
- Drops the ball forward
- Does a forward pass
- Uses up their seven touches
Anne Keen
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
