Wow! 111 Teams so far! That's definitely a record for the New York 7s, so we can only assume that teams enjoy our tournament and we’re doing at least one or two things right. 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. Enjoy it, have a good laugh, keep in mind New Yorkers hate sarcasm 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. Take a look at the waitlists if you don’t believe us. 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.

Additionally, to answer your question, no, we can’t add more teams to the bracket or add another bracket. We are currently operating just about at maximum capacity. If you know of someplace where we could get more field space or more lighted fields, or more referees, please let us know. Again, if you want a guarantee that your team is in the tournament, register and pay early.

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
It finally happened/is happening! After years of negotiations, Randall’s Island is in the midst of a complete restoration of all of its fields, roads, and other recreational facilities. State of the art turf fields have been installed and new sod has been laid down. There's even an IRB regulation size rugby field with permanent uprights!!

This being said, it is still a work in progress and there are a couple of points to be aware of:

1. “Comfort Stations” are currently being built. These are the cinder block structures you will see in various states of construction. Hopefully they’ll be online for the 2010 New York 7s. This being said, we will have a plethora of port-a-potties as usual (Keep in mind veteran players always carry a roll of TP in their kit bag.)

2. IF YOU’RE DRIVING - Because of construction, navigation of Randall’s Island, especially the south end (where the tournament is), is a little dicey. We will have signs up. Follow them. If you don’t you run the risk of accidentally driving off of Randall’s Island and having to repay the toll to get back on.

3. Artificial turf fields = no metal cleats! Make sure you have your molded cleats with you.

4. IF YOU’RE DRIVING PART II – Please park ONLY in designated areas. The access road to the fields is very narrow and is one way. We’d like to not have a repeat of last year when a tour bus blocked the road and had to be backed out to let traffic go through.

THE SAT NIGHT PARTY
In 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 humanity, 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 thanks to the hard work of several of our club members we are building the exposure and profile of the NY 7s every year, 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 whole 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 around 200 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") and Duane Reades. 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. Most teams have done a great deal of planning to attend this tournament and they want to play. Generally, teams do not like to accept forfeit wins in this tournament. Don’t be the deadbeat team that doesn’t show up. Even if you have three players available after Friday night, there are always random people looking for a team to hook up with. Get to the field. 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.