Over 1600 rugby players coming to Bangkok!

From February 28 to March 1, over 1,600 rugby players from around the world will descend on Bangkok to celebrate a weekend of sports and family fun at the Bangkok International Rugby Tens Tournament. This year is the 10th Anniversary of the tournament.

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“The Tens”, as the tournament is fondly known, is an exciting international rugby tournament, hosting 40 men’s teams, 40 children’s rugby teams and 8 ladies touch teams joined every year by changing well-known international rugby stars.

Bobby Skinstad, the legendary former Springbok Captain will join this years event together with Willy Lose, former Tongan captain, now TV personality and NZ Sky Sports commentator, and Warrick Waugh, former Wallaby player. Also joining the event will be former Springboks Breyton Paulse and world cup winner Butch James. A crew from the Rugby Asia Channel will be on hand to film the event for their viewers. Bumrungrad hospital will be onsite to provide first aid and ambulance services.

The annual event brings together participants from across the globe, with teams flying in from the region, as well as Australia, New Zealand, France and South Africa with the tournament hosting its first Swiss team this year. The games are highly competitive yet very social and are run over two days. Although the games start on Saturday the fun starts on Thursday evening with social events for the participants, so you may catch hordes of rugby players out and about enjoying all that Bangkok has to offer.

Throughout the tournament there will be live music, food stalls, drinks, and a beer garden, as well as a kids area with games and activities.

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The tournament will also feature a bouncy castle, ensuring a festive atmosphere and enjoyment for the whole family.

The Bangkok International Rugby Tens is organized by a group of volunteers, headed by former Canada international Eddie Evans, who played for Canada in three world cups. The tournament is run to raise funds for the Nak Suu Tigers Rugby Academy, a charity for children at risk in a number of the slum communities of Bangkok which helps the children improve their lives through the structure and guidance provided through sports and access to education.

“We’re very proud of the Tens tournament”, Eddie says.

“We have come a very long way from our first tournament ten years ago which had just 16 teams participating and was held at a dusty field in Rangsit with few spectators. We now have more teams than ever flying in and run the tournament on 4 pitches with a wide range of food, drinks and entertainment making it a carnival of sorts. We are pleased with this development as all the funds raised during the tournament go to support the children’s charity.”

The tournament is proudly sponsored by valued sponsors Emirates, Mantra Venture Group and DoubleTree by Hilton. They have provided significant funding and services to not only make the tournament a success but also greatly increase the value of the contribution to the charity.

“We’d like to say a BIG thank you to our sponsors whose involvement directly benefits the underprivileged children of Bangkok,” says Eddie. “We’d also like to thank Bangkok Patana School for providing excellent facilities and continued support to the tournament.”

“We also thank Bumrungrad for taking care of our players during the event, Health Box for providing food to the Nak Suu teams, Tesco Lotus for providing water and our new sponsors Hooters and Lighthouse, who are keen to be a part of this event.”

“A particular thank you goes out to ACH Management, Asia Pacific Breweries and Jardine Shipping Services who have been with the tournament for each and every one of the ten years and to Hamish Tom Watters for his donation to the charity. We know there will be some other companies coming on board and we look forward to welcoming them.”

The Bangkok Rugby tens invites you to come and join this rugby fest. Watch great rugby, spot the celebrities, let the kids run around and have a drink or two while cheering on your favourite team. The Tens is held at the sports complex of Bangkok Patana School on Sukhumvit Soi 105. Entrance is free.

More information: www.bangkokrugby10s.net and FB bangkokrugby10s
Email Eddie Evans: [email protected]

 

About Gregers Møller

Editor-in-Chief • ScandAsia Publishing Co., Ltd. • Bangkok, Thailand

View all posts by Gregers Møller

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