Sevens
Harry Potter actor Oliver Phelps has been named co-owner of the Ultimate Sevens team, Atlantic Novas.
The 40-year-old, who played George Weasley in the blockbuster eight-film series, cited a “level playing field” for male and female players as the reason for his investment.
Last weekend, a brand new competition led by ex England and Great Britain captain Tom Mitchell launched in Cardiff.
In the first weekend of Ultimate Sevens action, Clan Tartan won the men’s tournament and Phelps’ Atlantic Novas were victorious in the women’s event.
Former HSBC SVNS Women’s Rookie of the Year, Nia Toliver, was the standout player for Novas en route to defeating Sol Feroza in the final.
Phelps said: “I’m a huge rugby fan so I couldn’t wait to get involved in the Ultimate Sevens.
“The game is fast and I love the innovation Ultimate Sevens has brought to the sport.
“Ultimate Sevens is so affordable. I’m getting involved because it has huge potential for global growth, especially ahead of the LA Olympics.
“I also like the way Ultimate Sevens has made sure the men’s and women’s teams are equal.
“My daughter has started playing and I coach her at the grassroots level.”
Ultimate Sevens has attracted the top talent in the rugby sevens world. Maddison Levi, Selvyn Davids, Isabella Nasser and Luciano Gonzalez will compete over the next fifteen days in a competition dubbed the ‘Hundred’ week.
The competition is also played with modified laws, such as; a try is worth seven points if scored under the posts and a variable conversion value depending on where the kick is taken from. Coaches also have one 90-second time-out, administered by their coaches.
This weekend Ultimate Sevens will hold its second event of the season in Biarritz, before hosting the grand final at Brentford FC’s Gtech Community Stadium in London.