Oceania Rugby Hosts Welcome Function
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Captain's Photoshoot Photos for editorial purposes HERE. (Photo credit: Oceania Rugby)
The 2021 PacificAus Sports Oceania Sevens officially opened last night, with Oceania Rugby hosting a welcome function at Townsville’s The Ville Resort-Casino.
Government representatives, partners and organisers were present, to welcome the players and team officials to Townsville as they prepare for this weekend’s Oceania Sevens tournament.
Speakers included:
- Cr Jenny Hill, Mayor of Townsville
- Les Walker MP, Member for Mundingburra
- Sarah Leary, Assistant Director Pacific Partnerships and Outreach Section - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Jeff Reibel, CEO of North Queensland Cowboys
- Bruce Cook, General Manager Oceania Rugby
The playing jersey for the Oceania team was also revealed, designed by Kalkadoon Waanyi Aboriginal artist, Luke Duffy.
The Oceania Sevens will feature national teams from Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, as they prepare to compete at the Tokyo Olympics next month.
The three-day tournament will be played from June 25-27 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Tickets, private suites and corporate boxes to watch the matches live in Townsville can be purchased via www.ticketmaster.com.au or by contacting Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
SPEAKING POINTS
Cr Jenny Hill, Mayor of Townsville
On Townsville:
“We are very pleased to be able to host this event, and I’m so glad you’re here in Townsville. This place absolutely loves its sport and they will make you feel at home.”
Les Walker MP, Member for Mundingburra
On the north Queensland region:
“It’s wonderful to have the Oceania Rugby sevens here in north Queensland. The region is still high following the historic hosting of the first State of Origin here in Townsville, two weeks ago, and now to have some of the best rugby sevens talent exciting us over the weekend.
“Enjoy our world-class facilities here, and our stadium is definitely world-class. Also, experience the renowned north Queensland hospitality and we are quite happy to welcome you to our beautiful region.”
On the partnerships:
“The Queensland government has partnered with Townsville City Council, Queensland Rugby Union and Rugby Australia to bring this event here. Our support of major events such as this one through Tourism Events Queensland is an important part of our economic recovery from COVID-19.”
Sarah Leary, Assistant Director Pacific Partnerships and Outreach Section - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
On the Australian government’s involvement:
“There are many challenges coming together during the global pandemic but the Australian government couldn’t be prouder in supporting this very special event by supporting the travel costs of Fiji to be here in Queensland.”
On PacificAus Sports purpose:
“The program is all about driving more ambitious partnerships between Australia and the Pacific. One of our goals is to support more Pacific teams in competing in countries like Australia and New Zealand.”
On sport:
“Sport provides a very special bond between Australia and the Pacific. It helps our people come together during difficult times and uncertainty.”
Jeff Reibel, CEO of North Queensland Cowboys
On the teams using the Cowboys facilities:
“What a privilege it has been hosting the men’s and ladies’ teams this weekend at our home, which allows teams to be able to train and recover in our state-of-the-art facilities.”
On the aims of the new facilities:
“Throughout the construction of the Hutchinson Builders Centre, our aim was to be able to attract different groups, talents and athletes across the first-class training, recovery and community facilities. After just a few short months, this is starting to be achieved.”
On Townsville:
“With these facilities, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, the Hutchinson Builders Centre, along with talented and passionate people that call Townsville home that is putting Townsville well and truly on the map for sports tourism and events.”
Bruce Cook, General Manager Oceania Rugby
On the tournament:
“This unique tournament sits in the regional and recognised Oceania Rugby Sevens brand and provides a targeted, high-performance preparation for our regional pre-qualified [Olympic] teams, and the nine regional match officials, who are heading to Japan.”
On the teams competing:
“We’ve got arguably the best male and female teams on the planet in here tonight, and I don’t say that lightly. You are the best sevens teams on the planet and the gold medals that you’ve got across everything says it all.”
Sharni Williams, Aussie 7s women’s captain
On the organisation of the tournament:
“We’re just footy players, so we just go out there play. That’s what we’re here to do. The fact that there is so many people out here that have been able to make this possible for us to go out and play footy has been absolutely unreal.”
Tyla Nathan-Wong, New Zealand Black Ferns Sevens
On losing to Australia in the gold medal match at the Rio 2016 Olympics:
“The Olympic gold is the one that got away from us last time. It was an epic battle against the Australian girls and I know every time we go out against these girls you know it is going to be amazing.”
On Tokyo 2020 preparation:
“It was awesome to have the Australian teams over in New Zealand, so now It’s pretty cool to be able to continue our prep towards Tokyo by coming over to Townsville.”
Stu Dunbar, Oceania men’s captain
On the make-up of the team:
“So, our team’s a bit different. Half our team is the contracted boys from the sevens and the other half is made up from some Super Rugby boys and just some club guys that have been performing really well, so it’s a great opportunity for all of us.”
On the team having limited sevens experience:
“Yeah, it is a different sport but I mean, it’s just footy at the end of the day.”
On the specially designed Oceania jersey:
“It’s always important to know a bit about your jersey and why you’re playing for your jersey cause when you’re out there you literally are playing with blood sweat and tears. So thanks to Luke [Duffy] for explaining the story, I’ll be passing that on to the rest of the team. And we’ll try and keep it deadly out there this weekend.”
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#OceaniaRugby #OceaniaSevens #onwardtogold #PacificAusSports #SportsDiplomacy #ThisIsQueensland
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Sarah Walker
Oceania Rugby
E: Sarah.Walker@oceaniarugby.com
P: +61 418 678 548
ABOUT
2021 PacificAus Sports Oceania Sevens: is a new tournament under the Oceania Rugby Sevens brand. The event features four men’s and four women’s teams including the current Olympic Gold Medallists Fiji (men's) and Australia (women's), and current Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup Sevens New Zealand (Men’s and Women’s). The 2021 PacificAus Sports Oceania Rugby Sevens is supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade PacificAus Sports program and strategically supported by the Queensland Government. The 2021 PacificAus Sports Oceania Rugby Sevens provides targeted High-Performance preparation for pre-qualified regional teams ahead of the Tokyo Olympics Rugby Sevens. For more information about the event visit can be found here.
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