All the action kicks off this weekend with the Mullum Masters ’24 – a rugby league tournament for the young at heart; backed up by the Byron Bay Rugby 7s – including a junior series and a senior women’s state of origin to help select the national side.
Mullum Masters ’24
The first-ever Mullum Masters will see more than 200 players, well past their prime, descend on Les Donnelly field for two action-packed days of rugby league from 11am this Friday and Saturday, October 18-19. On Friday the play culminates in a Queensland versus NSW match from 6.30pm.
There will be at least 28 games played in a round-robin format, with no winners or losers, as per the NRL rule book (i.e. no one wants to lose any more teeth). Close to 200 players will be staying in town and at the adjacent camping ground. Teams are coming from Sydney and surrounds as well as locally, and from Queensland. The tournament will conclude with a live band on Saturday night. There is no charge for spectators at this inaugural event.
Rugby 7s
The iconic Byron Bay Rugby 7s 2024 will see action over Saturday and Sunday, October 19-20, under a new format.
The main tournament will kick off on Saturday featuring women’s, premier men’s, and social men’s events in a one-day, high-energy competition. Sunday boasts a youth 7s tournament for U12s, U14s, and U16s.
‘The new format, which includes a youth 7s event, adds another layer of excitement, and we can’t wait to see the next generation of rugby talent take the field in Byron Bay,’ Joey de Dassel, program manager for NSW Rugby Union said.
Sunday will include the third and final game of the Next Gen Sevens series featuring the best up and coming women’s talent from the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds. NSW Waratahs Womens Sevens has included Australian Sevens rookie Ruby Nicholas, who made her debut with the national side last season, to help lead the Waratahs against the Reds.
‘The Next Gen Sevens series is integral to recruit and develop the next generation of the best of the best “top gun” oval ball athletes to represent Australia on the world stage’, Australia Women’s Sevens coach Tim Walsh said.
Local talent
Ballina Coast High School student Savannah Roberts-Hickling has been selected into the Australian Schoolgirls Rugby Sevens 2024 team. Far North Coast Rugby Union said it was a ‘huge achievement’.
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