NORTH Dorset 7s (ND7s), one of the largest community-run single-day rugby sevens tournaments in the South West, begins at Slaughtergate in Gillingham from Friday, July 8 (6pm).

Last year's men's elite champions were Shredded Ducks and this season there will be 56 teams aiming to become the 2022 winners.

Having staged a bumper event bookended by Covid-19 in the summer of 2021, ND7s has built a reputation both in the local community and the national rugby sevens stage.

Now in its ninth year, ND7s promises to be the best event yet both on and off the field.

READ MORE: Bath stars help Dorchester celebrate 150th birthday

Boasting over 120 matches across six pitches, the tournament offers rugby for elite, social and super-social players alike across the men’s and women’s game.

There is even a tournament for veteran players aged over 35 to kick-off proceedings on the Friday followed by live music from returning Yeovil-based rock n’ roll party band D-State and a DJ set from former Legends nightclub DJ (now resident at Atik, Marlow), both returning favourites of the ND7s crowd.

Gates open at 3pm on Friday with rugby and entertainment from 6pm onwards.

This year’s all-day tournament commences at 9am on Saturday, July 9.

Throughout the event, visitors can enjoy a festival atmosphere including a variety of local food stalls, ND7s’ sponsors tents and a variety of bars including world-renowned movie director Guy Ritchie’s own local craft beers from Gritchie Brewing Co.

After all the trophies and prize money – including a top prize of £750 cash for the winner of the elite competition – is awarded, festival-goers can expect to enjoy BBC Introducing tipped rising star Charlotte Blunn, performing soulful pop covers and originals, followed by Simply Sheeran, one of the country’s finest Ed Sheeran tribute acts.

Then to the live music finale from UK’s premiere Foo Fighters tribute band ‘Foo Forgers’ followed by DJ Willie B, a resident DJ of the Chapel nightclub in Salisbury.

To date, ND7s has raised £15,000 for charitable partner Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) over the last seven editions, with over 14,000 spectators and over 220 different teams having graced the pitches at North Dorset RFC in Gillingham.

On the day, charity raffle tickets are available with prizes ranging from a weekend in a Shaftesbury AirBnB to an Exeter Chiefs shirt signed by local rugby star Ollie Devoto.

Booking tickets in advance is recommended with early bird tickets available from £5 from www.nd7s.co.uk

Under-16s enter free accompanied by an adult. Limited tickets available on entry. Weekend camping tickets are also available.