Previously held in Nowra, the organisation of the South Coast Sevens has this year been taken over by the Gerringong Breakers.

Javid Sadrnia, President of the Gerringong Breakers Football Club, says he sees great potential for the competition growing into a major event for the town.

“I’m confident we will have 30 teams at our inaugural event, but our plan is for it to grow over the next few years so that we are soon attracting 80 or 100 teams down for the weekend.

“This year’s thirty teams will equate to 300 players and another couple of hundred of support people and families, so even that is a going to be a great boon for Gerringong over a traditionally quiet time for visitors.”

He says a similar tournament at Forster attracts 150 teams each year.

“We went along to check it out, and we can see exactly how our competition can develop.”

Javid says they’ve had great encouragement from Destination Kiama and South Coast Holidays, along with other local businesses who want to work together to promote the village’s
attractions.

“It’s a great thing to have to help promote the area. The Breakers see it as our way of giving back to our long term sponsors and our community by attracting more business to the village.”

The competition is open to mens, womens and over 35s teams.

Of the 25 teams that have registered at time of writing, 70 per cent are from outside the Kiama LGA, with over half of them being from either Sydney or Canberra.

Established in 1985, The Breakers are a vibrant club going places, with both the men and women’s teams in this year’s regional finals.

“Two of our members, Finn Croft-Trollope and Harry Churchill, have been selected to represent Australia in the U/13 Futfal competition in Spain, and we’ve also produced players for the American college system,” says Javid.

“It is just a brilliant club to be part of.”

He encourages everyone to come down and take a look at the South Coast Sevens action.

“It is a really good opportunity to see some great footballers from across the state, including some ex-Socceroos,” he says.

“They’ll be competing for cash prize money so the incentive will be there.”

Details: 22-23 September, Gerry Emery Reserve, Rowlings Rd, Gerringong. 9.30-4pm Saturday; 9.30-2pm Sunday, with the finals on around 1pm.  Team registrations at www.southcoast7s.wixsite.com/comp