Sports Technology

Following a landmark Olympic year for rugby sevens, the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) and Foxtel have today announced a new three-year partnership and grassroots initiative designed to help more people play rugby and lead an active and healthy lifestyle.

Foxtel VIVA7s is a non-contact version of rugby sevens that is designed for all members of the family regardless of age to play together in one team. Played with seven players on either side, this tackle-free game is played with modified rules to ensure inclusion for all.

Introducing the rugby sevens variant, ARU General Manager of Community Rugby & Strategy, Andrew Larratt stated "millions of Australians watched our women’s rugby sevens Olympic team win gold, and VIVA7s is the perfect way for them to now try the game without the need for tackling.

“VIVA7s is fun and really easy to play. Best of all, just like rugby sevens, it’s a game where there are always plenty of try-scoring opportunities, so Australians young and old can experience the thrill of crossing the line to score a try.”

Deanne Weir, Managing Director, Content Aggregation & Wholesale for Foxtel added "Foxtel are proud to have joined forces with ARU for the next three years to help bring the Foxtel VIVA7s game to life.

“This new grassroots initiative program joins our other programs in AFL and Soccer and further cements Foxtel’s commitment to sport.”

Foxtel VIVA7s demonstration matches will be played during the upcoming Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship Tests in Sydney (20th August), Brisbane (10th September) and Perth (17th September).

Over 3,000 boys, girls, men and women of all ages and backgrounds played VIVA7s last year, following its launch in 36 centres across Australia. Another 148,000 students from more than 740 schools participated in National Rugby Week and ‘Game On’ (a five-week rugby program for primary schools), during which they were also introduced to VIVA7s.

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