There’s something about this time of year in rugby. The weather is getting warmer, the days stretch a little longer, and the energy around Clubland starts to change. In the Northern Hemisphere, XVs season comes to an end and 7s season kicks into gear with tournaments, events, and good spirited fun!

While I love grassroots days filled with XVs and the club atmosphere, it’s hard to beat the tournament vibes. They are generally more relaxed, less tense, and I enjoy the communal nature of getting a bunch of rugby teams together in the same space. I enjoy it even more now that I can pull back and look at it with a wider lens. 

So, Bottom of the Ruck is packing up our bags and hitting the road for multiple events this spring and summer. We’re heading out to dive headfirst into the heart of grassroots rugby. From island celebrations to beach tournaments and hometown 7s, this tour is all about telling stories and celebrating the people and communities that keep our sport alive.

April 29 – May 4

Freeport RFC 60th Anniversary – Freeport, Bahamas

The travel season kicks off in a big way with a trip to the Bahamas to celebrate Freeport RFC’s 60th Anniversary.

This isn’t just a milestone. It’s a testament to longevity, community, and what it really means to build something that lasts in grassroots rugby. Clubs don’t make it to 60 years by accident, especially one that faces the added challenge of being on a tropical island. 

Freeport RFC has former players, opponents, and friends coming in from multiple clubs and countries to celebrate the anniversary with a weekend of rugby fun. 

Expect a weekend full of rugby, old friends, new connections, and stories. BOTR will be there to capture it all from the matches to the moments in between. 

June 13

Bull City 7s – Durham, NC

Back on home soil, the next stop is the Bull City 7s. I’m gathering a crack team of old boys to attend, cheer (i.e. heckle), and enjoy plenty of refreshments in the process. 

Fast paced rugby, strong club representation, and a social atmosphere. This is where competition meets culture. Tobacco Road Rugby Club are hosting the event at their newly minted facility. Anytime a club in the USA achieves this there is reason to celebrate. 

We’ll be on the sidelines and in the middle of it bringing you clips, conversations, and the kind of grassroots stories that don’t always make the highlight reels.

June 20–21

Cape Fear 7s – Wilmington, NC

Next up, we head to the coast for the Cape Fear 7s. Hosted by Cape Fear Rugby, this one of the largest 7s events on the American rugby calendar. The tournament brings in teams from throughout the southeast and beyond. 

Beach air, fast rugby, and a tournament that always entertains. 

BOTR will be there capturing the action and the atmosphere, visiting club tents while shining a light on the clubs, players, and people who make weekends like this possible.

August 8

Blackbeard Beach 7s – Atlantic Beach, NC

We close out our travel season with one of the most unique stops on the calendar, Blackbeard Beach 7s hosted by the Clayton RFC. True to its name, Blackbeard Beach 7s is a pirate-themed rugby tournament played on the sand. Rugby played the way it was meant to be with an emphasis on a fun and social atmosphere.

This isn’t just a tournament, it’s an experience. I was lucky enough to play in the tournament multiple times pre–pandemic before it went on hiatus. I’m stoked that it is back as it is exactly the kind of event that embodies what Bottom of the Ruck is all about.

More Than a Tour

This isn’t just about covering events.

It’s about being there.

Throughout the tour, BOTR will be:

• Meeting players, coaches, and volunteers
• Conducting interviews and sharing stories
• Filming live clips and capturing moments
• Handing out plenty of BOTR swag along the way

Because the best stories in rugby don’t come from the top down.

They come from the ground up. 

Come Find Us

If you’re heading to any of these events and see someone wearing a Bottom of the Ruck or Keep Rugby Grassy shirt, come say hello.

Share your story. Talk about your club. Bring the energy that makes grassroots rugby what it is. We’ll have a bag of swag to share some goodies. 

Bottom of the Ruck will be there, not just to cover the game, but to celebrate the people behind it.

A big season lies ahead. Let’s make it count.