Compelling and record-breaking HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series set for thrilling finale
- HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series reaching and engaging new audiences
- New stars born, unforgettable moments created
- Road to Rio 2016 building momentum
- Women’s rugby one of the world’s fastest-growing team sports
The biggest HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series concludes this weekend in Clermont-Ferrand with three teams still in the hunt to claim the coveted title.
While Australia are in pole position, world champions New Zealand and England can also mathematically win a series where new stars have been born and unforgettable moments created along the way to reaching and engaging more fans than ever before.
The first of a new four-year series cycle with a new title sponsor in HSBC, the 2015-16 series has set new standards on and off the field. The global mix of destinations is proving popular with fans, while the road to Rio 2016 has delivered compelling, competitive action throughout as the world’s top players chase the dream of becoming an Olympian.
As rugby sevens races towards the Olympic Games, the series has proven a hit in emerging rugby broadcast territories with Brazil and China recording top five audiences across the series.
With @WorldRugby7s and worldrugby.org firmly established as the destination for series fans, more than 20 million fans have so far been reached on World Rugby’s online platforms (an increase of 100 per cent), while videos of the best action have been viewed more than 5 million times. Every minute of the action has been streamed live, with thousands more fans expected to watch the thrilling series conclude this weekend at the Stade Gabriel Montpied in Clermont-Ferrand.
And with the world class action continuing, Clermont-Ferrand and the Dublin Olympic repechage will significantly raise these record-breaking figures.
World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “In this, the biggest year for sevens rugby, women’s sevens has been at the very forefront of the success story as we anticipate a game-changing Rio 2016.
“We have been treated to exceptional rugby sevens throughout and it is testament to the quality of the compelling competition that we are seeing record increases in engagement and exposure.”
Incoming World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont added: “Rugby is experiencing significant growth on all fronts and women’s rugby is leading that growth as one of the world’s fastest-growing team sports. More than 30 per cent of the total playing population are women and girls, equating to 2 million players and an increase of 300,000 over the last 12 months.
“We are committed to growing that number through our investment in development and competitions, like the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series, which continues to grow in competition and brand strength and look forward to a breath-taking finale and an exciting 2016-17 series.”
The 2016-17 HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series schedule will be announced in due course.
Fixtures, pools and squads can be found here.
Details of where you can view all the action from the HSBC Clermont-Ferrand Sevens can be found by visiting the website and clicking here.
Tickets are also available for the Dublin Sevens Olympic Games repechage event on 25-26 June. For further information on the event and to buy tickets, visit the website here.
Report courtesy of World Rugby
