National 7s in ENB

The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football Union  formally announced the PNG National Sevens, to be held on the weekend of Dec10-11 in Kokopo, East New Britain.
Invitations were sent out last week to all affiliated unions in the PNGRFU.
While Kimbe, Bougainville, Kavieng, Lihir, Madang, Oro, Daru and hosts Rabaul-Kokopo have confirmed participation, Port Moresby, Lae and Goroka are yet to do so.
Other slots will be extended to non-affiliated provinces, mining townships, and overseas teams yet to be confirmed.
The New Guinea Islands have been granted the opportunity to host this event after hosting successive tournaments throughout the region over the years, and in turn leading the way forward for rugby sevens in the country.
The PNG national sevens tournament concept was usually run in the past in Lae until 2003, when the Wanderers sevens initiated a high prized purse for the champions.
This event stayed in Port Moresby from there on until last year, with Mineral Resources Development Corporation the main backer over the past seven years.
Since then Lae Brothers (2003), New Ireland Drongos (2004), Goroka Silverbacks (2005), Mendi Menjals (2006), Kimbe Rebels (2007), Port Moresby (2008), and Kimbe Rebels (2009) have been past champions.
Kimbe Rebels now remain overall the national sevens champions after successful wins in Kimbe at the Kimbe sevens, cup runner-up in the Kokopo Frangipani sevens in August, and their latest win at the Kavieng sevens last month.
Rabaul sevens champions, the PNG Barbarians, made up of members of the national squad, will also participate at national event as a means to give them more match play.