The Korea Rugby Association is continuing its efforts to expand the base of recreational sports. On the 15th, it took steps to vitalize rugby enthusiasts nationwide through practical support focused on the field at the '2025 Ansan Mayor's National Club 7-a-side Rugby Tournament'.
The '2025 Ansan Mayor's National Club 7-a-side Rugby Tournament' is hosted by Ansan City and organized by the Ansan Rugby Association, with sponsorship from the Korea Rugby Association and the Ansan City Physical Education Association. Except for the COVID-19 period, this recreational sports tournament has been held annually, and this year marks its 20th anniversary since its founding in 2005.
The Korea Rugby Association supported part of the tournament operations, including the provision of rugby equipment and referees, to ensure stable event management. When the self-sustaining movements at recreational sports venues align with practical support from the association, the growth foundation of the sport will become even stronger, and this tournament held in Ansan showcased that potential.
A total of 16 teams participated in this tournament, comprising 8 teams in the youth division, 3 teams in the adult division, 3 teams in the women's division, and 2 teams in the youth division, creating a festival that spans generations and regions.
In the youth division, the Survival team won, while in the adult division, the Korea University Rugby alumni team 'Korea University Tigers' emerged victorious, and the Siheung City G Sports Club won in both the student and women's divisions.
Sim Yeong-bok, president of the Korea Rugby Association, noted, 'I was able to see how actively the base of rugby as a recreational sport is moving on the ground,' and 'I will do my best to ensure that clubs and national enthusiasts can operate stably and actively support increasing access to recreational sports.'
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