Judging by the number of teams that keep coming back to our tournament, we can only assume that they enjoy the New York 7s. And we love being able to host teams from across town and across the Atlantic for what we hope is a great time both on the pitch and off. Without the teams, the tournament is nothing, so really, THANK YOU to all the teams that return year after year, as well as those brave NY 7s neophytes out there.

That said, some people never read their emails or tournament literature and attempt to make our lives, um, complex on the day of the tournament. With that in mind, the following is offered as a guide to the New York 7s. It's all meant in good fun, so enjoy it, have a good laugh, and remember, we told you so…

REGISTRATION
When we say that you have to be paid in full in order to be confirmed and entered in the tournament, we mean it. One person handles all of the tournament entries, and that one person also handles registration on the day of the tournament. If you come to the scoring table to complain about this, we will make fun of you until you cry.

THE WEATHER
As much as we might try, we can't control it. Our tournament goes off rain or shine. November in New York can be an interesting time of year meteorologically speaking. It can be a mild fall day or a freezing cold winter day. It can be sunny or cloudy. It may rain, it may snow, it may sleet, it may hail. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse may ride across the main field. No matter, we're playing! Regardless of the weather, it's always going to be colder on Randall's Island. Dress in layers and dress warmly. Your team is welcome to bring a tent, chairs, and pretty much any other protection against the elements you can haul out there. Just keep it off the playing fields.

THE FIELDS
We are quite aware of the fact that most of our fields are "less than optimal". Unfortunately, when you're based out of New York City, your options for field space to hold a 90+ team 7s tournament are extremely limited. We have Randall's Island. For those of you not familiar with Randall's Island, it is a multi-use island right under the Triboro Bridge. While field conditions and the state of the Island have improved over the last couple of years, there has not been enough money in the City's budget to maintain things like grass. And to those who would suggest that we seed and maintain the fields ourselves - that's a great idea and we have had it ourselves and even tried it out in the past. Unfortunately, the City can and will go ahead and schedule concerts, rodeos, and 400 rounds of kiddie lacrosse on the very same fields we would put time, effort, and money into maintaining. "Dem's da breaks" as they say, when dealing with a public city park. Keep in mind; all of New York Rugby Club's teams have played here - the men, the women and even the old boys! So just relax and enjoy a great weekend of rugby in the greatest city in the world.

BUT WHAT ABOUT CENTRAL PARK? THAT'S BIG ISN'T IT?
Ain't gonna happen. True, for you true NY 7s veterans, we have played in Central Park in the past. However, times have changed. Ever since the great clean up of Central Park about 10 years ago, when the city started caring what went on there, hardly anything happens in Central Park anymore - at least not without a lot of $$ to rehab the fields afterwards. If Central Park Police even catch you walking around with cleats in your bag you might get asked to leave. Really. It would be awesome to have the tournament on the Great Lawn, but the Parks Department doesn't want their grass torn up. This being said, if you know someone that can change this, drop us a line.

OR THAT NEW STADIUM WHERE DOWNING USED TO BE? THAT LOOKS PRETTY SNAZZY…

Yes it is. It's called Icahn Stadium and it's for track and field only. And that's all folks. No soccer. No lacrosse. No rugby. We've asked. We promise.

AGAIN IN 2007!! A new state-of-the-art artificial turf field was recently installed next to Icahn Stadium. We are happy to announce that the entire Men's Premier Division, as well as the Cup Championship Finals for all other divisions, will once take place on this field for the 2nd year running...this field has lights, which means that we won't be held to that "finish everything while we can still see the ball" time-frame as we have in the past few years. More details HERE.

THE SAT NIGHT PARTY
In nearly half a century of hosting this tournament, we have spent a lot of time looking for the panacea of rugby party locales. When you need a space for over 700 people in New York City, and you don't have about $100,000 dollars to spend, your options are pretty limited. And between places changing ownership and changing into lambada bars, we've found Connolly's. Please trust that there is not a larger bar space in New York City that we have not looked into already. We are really excited to keep building a great relationship with Connolly's...they actually like having us take over their place so much that we'll once again be able to use the whole place - not just the upstairs - this year. More room for everyone to "meet new friends".

DANCING - We heard that some people were told dancing is "illegal" in some bars. While it may be the case that your particular moves were being judged a crime against nature, we have not heard of anyone being arrested for dancing in NYC. Of course, Connolly's isn't really a dance club - and that's by design, in direct response to surveys taken after the last couple of NY 7s Tournaments. You told us you wanted a pub more than a dance club, and we have tried to deliver. That said, if you'd like to dance to the tunes playing at Connolly's, you are more than welcome - just try not to hurt yourself or anyone else. And of course - it's New York City...there are plenty of places to shake your groove thing within a few blocks of wherever you might be.

ATTIRE - And for those who didn't read the website or read the information packet when you get to the fields, no you can't show up in your dirty kit to the party. That's why it's not right after the games. Go to your hotel and clean yourself up.

A NOTE TO OUR INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS ABOUT RUGBY IN THE UNITED STATES
First off, thanks for coming to our tournament. You help make the tournament interesting for everyone - whether it's by your dashing play on the pitch or your kilts and cool accents at the parties. Although it may be hard for some of you to imagine, rugby is not the only sport on every New Yorker's mind this weekend. With American football, ice hockey, and basketball in full swing, rugby is an afterthought to most New Yorkers, if we're lucky. Yes we are trying to change that - and our promotional drive this year strives to be miles beyond anything we've been able to carry off before, but it still ain't the NFL. So here are some things you shouldn't expect:

• We can't pay for your hotel, feed you, pay for your airfare, send a car for you or pay you to play.
• We don't have a clubhouse for you to change in or a separate field for you to warm up on.

So what do we offer? A whole crop of single women/men who think your accent is really cute. Play that card for all its worth.

 
NEWSFLASH: NEW YORK IS EXPENSIVE!
We make every effort to find inexpensive hotel rates (and the New Yorker is giving us a GREAT deal), and bars with relatively cheap drinks (and Ship of Fools and Connolly's both fit the bill there)...but remember, it's still New York City, and it's probably a lot more expensive than where you are from. Plan ahead.

REFEREES
Don't complain about them. Period. As tough as it is for even us to admit (after all, we're all players too) they are doing the best they can. If you think you can do a better job, feel free to bring your touch flags and your whistle with you next year. With over 100 matches in one day, we can always use more referees. If you're interested in reffing a game or six, contact our NY 7s Referee Coordinator.

WATER
Delis (in other parts of the country they are apparently called "convenience stores"). They are all over New York. Pop into one on your way to Randall's and grab a few gallons of water for your team for the day. That was easy wasn't it?

TOURNAMENT STRUCTURE
Brackets, kickoff times and field locations are posted online at least two or three days before the tournament. Schedules are available at the pre-party the night before the tournament. Field maps, kickoff times and locations are posted on the scoreboard at the field. If you miss a game, it's your fault. Take your forfeit like a man/woman.

SPEAKING OF FORFEITS…
Again this year! If you miss your first match, we might understand. Maybe. That 8 AM kickoff is tough to make when you have the cocktail flu. Especially if you're a team of backs. However, if you forfeit your second match or just don't show up on tournament day, you also forfeit your chance of ever playing in our tournament again. We'll also keep your money. We have teams coming from all over the world to play in this tournament. How would you like it if you traveled to a far and away land to play in a rugby tournament only to find out some deadbeat team decided to not show up? Generally, teams do not like to accept forfeit wins in this tournament. Everyone's here to play. Don't be the team that ruins it for everyone.

HAVE FUN AT A UNIQUELY "NEW YORK" RUGBY EVENT
That's what this game is all about. Play hard: maybe you'll win and maybe you won't. But have fun with your team on the field and then with all the other teams at the party. Make a new friend (interpret that however you want). Have a great weekend in New York City that's nothing like what the tourists in Times Square can even imagine. Thanks for coming to the New York 7s.