Great Britain Sevens star Abbie Brown hopes this week’s Ultimate Sevens event in London can inspire a new generation of players as the shortened format takes centre stage under the lights.
Brown will captain Albion Athletic in Thursday night’s one-off show at Brentford’s stadium, with some of the leading Sevens players in the world involved in a new fast-paced competition billed as rugby’s answer to cricket’s Hundred.
For Brown, the chance to put Sevens in front of a new audience carries particular significance after growing up without female rugby players regularly appearing on television.
“Growing up, I never really had a women’s rugby role model because it wasn’t really publicised, it wasn’t really on TV or anything like that,” she said.
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“Social media wasn’t that big when I was growing up, so my role models were people like Jonny Wilkinson. It’s really cool now. I’m really close with Red Roses players and to see the impact they have had, and to see that they are now role models, is also inspiring to me. I always want to be a role model in the Sevens world.”
Early Ultimate Sevens success
Ultimate Sevens has already staged events in Cardiff and Biarritz, with the knockout format producing different finalists and throwing international team-mates into opposition.
Brown believes that unpredictability, allied to the quality of athletes involved, is central to the competition’s appeal.
“Some people would say Sevens athletes are the best in the world and I really do believe that,” she added.
“The athletes themselves are just incredible. This is pretty much the best of the best all playing against each other and, under the floodlights on a night in London, what more could be better? It’s so fast-paced. You’re only there for a few hours and it’s go, go, go. You don’t have time to stop.”
Coming up against familiar foes
Brown has even found herself coming up against close GB team-mates, including Ellie Boatman.
“I know Ellie and she was handing me off,” Brown said. “I’ve never been on the other side of her hand-off before! It really caught me off guard because she’s a close mate and I know her so well.
“There’s been a really good feel within Ultimate Sevens. Everyone has been expressing themselves.”
Putting on a show in her backyard
With family and friends set to attend, Brown says bringing the competition to London gives this week’s event extra meaning.
“This event is huge from a GB point of view,” she said. “We want to get in as many people watching it as possible and showcase what Sevens is all about.
“It’s a time where we can inspire the next generation and inspire people in this country in a way that we haven’t done before with Sevens.
“It’s so special and exciting for this event to be in London. I’ve travelled to some amazing places over the years and I’m really fortunate to have gone to those places, but there’s no place like home.”
More information is available at Ultimate Sevens.
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