Kiama Rugby will be looking to build on their 2025 dominance and go one better at the 54th annual Kiama Sevens, aiming to win their division for the second time in three years.

Fresh off winning the Illawarra Rugby District League premiership in first grade and finishing runners-up in reserve grade, Kiama can’t wait to get back on the field on 28 February.

“We’ve got a lot of talent from last year coming through,” said Kiama Sevens coach Dante Patrick. “They’re eager to get out there and represent Kiama in probably one of the most prestigious sevens tournaments outside the international stage.

“The majority of our squad is homegrown, with a few local players who might usually play league or AFL. We just put the team with the best chemistry on the field, and the boys are looking strong so far.”

Kiama competes in the NSW Country Cup division of the tournament, which they won two years ago, and managed to get all the way to the grand final in 2025 before losing to The Lakes Rugby Club

“We won two years ago, then lost in the grand final last year. We’re always competitive, but teams come from all over the region and give us a good crack,” Patrick said.

“Being the host team adds a bit of extra pressure too - everyone wants to knock us off.”

The loss to The Lakes continued a budding rivalry that started a few years ago.

“They hosted their sevens tournament in 2022, and we went up as an invitational team. We beat them in their own grand final,” Patrick said.

“Then they came down here and beat us in our tournament. So it’s a rivalry we’d like to keep going. If we meet again, it’ll be a big one.”

Regardless of the outcome, Patrick said the team is proud to be part of such a significant local event and to represent their town.

“Every year, the tournament gets bigger and better. Mark Bryant and the crew do an awesome job keeping it going,” he said.

“COVID obviously affected it for a while, but the way they’ve bounced back and grown the tournament is incredible.

"For a small coastal town like Kiama, hosting events like this really puts the town on the map, and we’re proud to be part of it.”

The 54th annual Kiama Sevens kicks off on 28 February, with the Kiama Sevens Media Launch taking place at Kiama Leagues Club at 12pm this Friday, featuring special guests Olympian Charlotte Caslick and former Wallaby Scott Bowen.