SCHOOL students from the Black Country and across the region are getting set to prove themselves in a regional rugby competition, the Army Rugby 7s, starting at the beginning of October.

Now in its seventh year, the competition will take male and female students in school years 10 and 11 from Shropshire, Birmingham and the Black Country, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire to six rugby grounds across the region between Tuesday October 7 and Thursday October 23.

Heat winners and runners-up will then go through to the regional finals, taking place at Stourbridge RFC at Stourton, on Thursday October 23, to compete for the title of the West Midlands Army Rugby 7s Schools Champions 2008.

Last year more than 1,000 youngsters took part in the event, organised in conjunction with the Rugby Football Union (RFU), and this year’s contest is expected to be bigger and better than ever.

Ben Waterhouse, RFU rugby development officer, added: “The RFU is pleased to be able to work in partnership with the Army to provide schools and their students with the opportunity to take part in the West Midlands Army 7s.

“We hope that, as a result of the competition, many of the students will want to go on and continue to play rugby after they leave school. The tournaments have proven very popular over the last few years and we are sure that this will continue in 2008.”

Entries are still open. Anyone wishing to enter a school team can contact Major Ken Kennedy at Shrewsbury Armed Forces Careers Office on 01743 232678, before Friday October 3.