World Rugby has welcomed the announcement of the schedule for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) rugby sevens competitions, which get underway at the Robina Stadium on 13 April, 2018.
In a fitting way to mark the start of the first ever women’s sevens competition at a Commonwealth Games, GC2018 ticket holders will be treated to eight matches of high octane women’s sevens on the opening night, where each competing nation will play two of their three pool matches.
Canada (pictured) and South Africa have the honour of kicking off the women's event with Olympic champions and hosts Australia to meet England in the day's final match.
Day two of the competition on Saturday, 14 April will see the best men’s nations doing battle in the pool stages along with the last round of women’s pool matches, before the competition culminates in the semi-finals and gold and bronze medal matches on the final day of competition on Sunday, 15 April.
At the conclusion of the pool stages, only the top ranked men’s team from each of the four pools will advance through to the semi-finals, while in the women’s competition the top two ranked teams will progress to play for the medals.
World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “The Commonwealth Games always delivers spectacular rugby sevens and the Gold Coast will be extra special with the introduction of a women’s competition for the first time.
“With the promotion of women in rugby a top priority for World Rugby following the launch of our landmark 2017-25 Women’s Plan, we are delighted that some of the best women’s players will be showcasing their talent to the world on one of sport’s biggest stages.
“Across the three days of competition, there will be outstanding competition on the field and an electric atmosphere in the stadium as teams compete for the ultimate prize of a gold medal at what are shaping up to be spectacular Games.”
Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Louise Martin CBE added: “Rugby sevens has been a popular addition to the Commonwealth Games programme since it was first introduced in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1998.
“As the leading international sporting body for all gender equality issues, the CGF is proud that, along with GOLDOC, we have been able to introduce women’s rugby sevens to the Commonwealth Games for the first time at GC2018.”