(Opinion Column by Alex Goff)—With talk around American rugby about the 15s World Cups and the Olympics, it seems important to view the game, sometimes, in the context of making it a big deal.
Big events, big stories, big championships matter, and it's on the shoulders of such events that we can build success in a World Cup or an Olympic event. The American rugby fan, when asked, has stood up to be counted several times—Chicago, Las Vegas and LA. Even the 7s World Cup in 2018 in San Francisco should be counted as a success when you are talking about fans. Yes, it was managed in such a way that the event lost money, but that wasn't the fans' fault. They showed up. They were loud and enthusiastic and spent money.
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The R7CC this coming weekend is an event like that. Fans who are within any reasonable driving distance (we're not sure what that is because we'll drive 10 hours to a game but you do you). With 60 teams playing in the event and a truly elite group in the Gold divisions—the uniqueness of the Women's Gold Division can hardly be overstated—this is a showcase of over 700 student-athletes and 60 fan based.
It's on NBC and their affiliate chancels and streaming channels. It's in a professional environment where student-athletes will have medical and training support, training facilities, and proper food.
From Food to PT to Where to Chill, the Athlete Experience at R7CCs
R7CCs: Where the Athletes Will Stay and Why That's Important
