Storm on the rampage but Joondalup dominate Rugby WA’s biggest AFGRI Albany 7s as 3000 descend on city

About 3000 players, coaching staff and their families descended on Albany at the weekend for the annual AFGRI 7s tournament, Rugby WA’s biggest 7s event of the year.

There were 88 teams on the roster across a wide span of age groups with Albany Storm fielding six sides and providing players for teams who were short in other sections.

The event took over the Centennial Park sporting precinct and even spread to Retravision Stadium with a bumper crowd watching all the way.

Although they notched up a cup final victory and a spot in a shield grand final last year, there was no Storm silverware this time around — but the event has inspired players and coach Paul Osborne to enter the Cockburn 7s next month.

Osborne said the Albany tournament, which was part of the city’s bicentenary celebrations, had been a wonderful experience for his players.

“I think it was the best one so far,” he said.

“It was a great weekend and we gave heaps of kids an opportunity to take part in something special — most of them want to go on and do more.

“There’s a lot of excitement around going to Cockburn next month, which is great.

“Some clubs have trials and turn kids away, but we don’t — if you want to play, we will find you a team.”

Albany did not have sufficient players to enter the under-eights or the under-15 competition at the weekend, so their loaned players to sides who were short.

As a result, four under-eights joined Bunbury, and promptly won, while Osborne’s son Samuel played for Associates, who reached the grand final.

Rugby WA regional manager Jason Marrable said the tournament was only going to get bigger and better.

“It was a great rugby tournament, with some fantastic skills on show and exciting results,” he said.

“It was a privilege to be able to bring so many teams from across WA to the City of Albany to celebrate the bicentenary and the sport.

“We are already looking forward to making next year’s event even bigger as it will come in the week building up to the opening of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Perth and Australia.”

Joondalup Brothers Blue were the team to beat in most of the age brackets as they came away with five titles spanning the age groups from under-10 to under-14.

Bunbury Bulls, with their Albany contingent, clinched the under-8s cup, beating Wests Scarborough to the title.

Swan Suburbs triumphed over Associates in the under-15s.

NC Sharks were the under-9 cup winners, also beating Wests Scarborough.

Cottesloe Pirates clinched two shield wins, as did Palmyra, while Perth Bayswater (under-9s), Bunbury Bulls (under-12s) and Kalamunda Bulls (under-13s) were the other shield champions.

In the plate competitions, Cottesloe Pirates picked up two victories, with Wanneroo, Mandurah Blue and Wests Scarborough completing the roll of honour.

The carnival has been going since 2017 when it was founded by Osborne with eight teams taking part.

Last year there were 77 teams, just shy of the 88 which registered this time around.

Although Albany has no senior team, Osborne said the Storm always punched above its weight with many promising athletes moving to Perth to continue playing.