Saskatchewan 7s program is designed to develop three Rugby 7s regional training centers.  Coaches whose responsibility will be to expand the talent pool of 12 – 16 year old male and female Saskatchewan athletes.  First we want to develop the game of sevens through grassroots education and skill basics.  The long term plan is to develop these athletes over a period of time to prepare them for Saskatchewan Games, Western Canada Games, Canada Games and begin the pathway towards the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto and 2016 Olympic games in Rio de Janerio.

 History

As a result of the Olympic re-entry Rugby Canada has completed a full 360 review of the current state of male and female 7s.
 
Highlighted in the review as weaknesses of 7’s in Canada were:
 

• Funding levels are a challenge to the speed of progress and development of 7s programs
• Lack of quality competition – domestically and internationally
• Underdeveloped 7’s skills of athletes
• Athletes are currently paying to play
• Lack of coaching experience in 7’s
• Lack of officials experience in games managing 7’s

Based off these findings, Saskatchewan Rugby Union conducted their own review in December 2011 and identified the following gaps:
 

• No pathway for 7s players
• No talent identification program
• Limited quality 7’s competition in SK
• Lack of 7’s knowlegdable coaches
• Lack of established programs in SK
• Lack of time due to short season
• Lack of officials with 7’s experience
• Lack of knowledge on the sport within the school system

 
Sask Rugby sees the need to ensure that Saskatchewan athletes, players and officials have the best chance to develop skills and compete for their school, club, province and/or country at the highest level possible with the maximum tools to ensure they are successful.
 
To ensure that all the gaps are closed it is imperative that Sask Rugby ensures the following happens:
 

• Form three regional training centers across the province with the aspiration to extend this with one extra center each year over three years
• Identify the coaches to run these centers
• Provide coach education for these coaches
• Show the players the pathway from school, region, province and country
• Invite officials to participate in out of province competitions
• Produce information to present to schools
• Produce bigger and better festivals within Saskatchewan

 
Delivery:
 

• Training centers will run from Sep – October and February to May followed by festivals
• Key technical tactical, mental and physical skills will be improved on
• All participants will be encouraged to join the Sask National Rugby High Performance Center to gain more support and development
• Talent ID will be monitored and a depth chart will be complied by each center
• A provincial depth chart will be maintained by SK Rugby Development Leader

 SCHEDULE
Regina Regional Training Center:

Jan 12 6:45pm-7:45pm CKHS - Gym 3 C (East) @ U of R
Jan 17 6:45pm-7:45pm CKHS - Gym 3 B (Center) @ U of R
Jan 18 7:15pm -8:15pm CKHS - Gym 3 A (West) @ U of R
Jan 24 6:45pm-7:45pm CKHS - Gym 3 B (Center) @ U of R
Jan 31 6:45pm-7:45pm CKHS - Gym 3 B (Center) @ U of R
Feb 28 6:45pm-7:45pm CKHS - Gym 3 B (Center) @ U of R
Mar 7 6:45pm-8:15pm CKHS - Gym 3 A (West) @ U of R
Mar 14 6:45pm-8:15pm CKHS - Gym 3 A (West) @ U of R
Mar 21 6:45pm-8:15pm CKHS - Gym 3 A (West) @ U of R
Mar 27 6:45pm-8:15pm CKHS - Gym 3 B & C @ U of R
Apr 9 5pm-6:45pm CKHS - Gym 3 B & C @ U of R
Apr 16 6pm-8pm CKHS - Gym 3 B & C @ U of R
Apr 23 6pm-8pm CKHS - Gym 3 B & C @ U of R
Apr 30 6pm-8pm CKHS - Gym 3 B & C @ U of R

Saskatoon Regional Training Center:

Feb 7 9pm-10:15pm Walter Murray Collegiate Gym 1
Feb 14 9pm-10:15pm Tommy Douglas Collegiate
Feb 28 9pm-10:15pm Tommy Douglas Collegiate
Mar 6 9pm-10:15pm Walter Murray Collegiate Gym 1
Mar 13 9pm-10:15pm Walter Murray Collegiate Gym 1
Mar 20 9pm-10:15pm Walter Murray Collegiate Gym 1
Mar 27 9pm-10:15pm Walter Murray Collegiate Gym 1

Lloydminster Regional Training Center:

Jan 13 6pm-7:30pm SCU Fieldhouse @ Commonwealth Center
Jan 20 6pm-7:30pm SCU Fieldhouse @ Commonwealth Center
Jan 27 6pm-7:30pm SCU Fieldhouse @ Commonwealth Center
Feb 10 6pm-7:30pm SCU Fieldhouse @ Commonwealth Center
Feb 17 5pm-6:30pm Mike's Fieldhouse @ Commonwealth Center
Mar 2 6pm-7:30pm SCU Fieldhouse @ Commonwealth Center
Mar 9 6pm-7:30pm SCU Fieldhouse @ Commonwealth Center
Mar 16 6pm-7:30pm SCU Fieldhouse @ Commonwealth Center
Mar 23 6pm-7:30pm SCU Fieldhouse @ Commonwealth Center
Mar 30 6pm-7:30pm SCU Fieldhouse @ Commonwealth Center

* Please note that the target age is 12-16 years old but each regional training center has an open door policy letting any one of any age participate in training.

CONTACT
To learn more about Sevens Rugby or how to get involved, contact the SRU office at 780-9353 or the coordinator in your area:

Regina: Robin Macdowell (c) 306-502-2091
           Casey Leonard (c) 306-540-7553
Saskatoon: Brennan Marcoux (c) 306-229-0069
Lloydminster: Dean Murten (c) 780-870-2266

7s TOURNAMENTS
Las Vegas Invitational Feb 9-12, 2012
CIS University 7s Championship Mar 2-4, 2012
SRU High School 7s Jamboree Apr 29, Saskatoon
Campion Grads Ryback 7s May 5, Regina
SRU High School 7s Jamboree May 6, Regina
Ultra 7s Fire vs Wolverines May 12, Regina @ 4pm
Macquarie Stampede Sevens July 6-7, 2012