Lewis Holland was a key member of the Australian Olympic Rugby 7s team that played in Rio this year and will be present at the event.

Holland played for the Australian Schoolboys in 2010, the Australian under-20s in 2012 and in and the Rugby World Cup in 2013, where he scored a try.

Bowral Blacks Rugby Club president Mark Freund said the Bowral Blacks were thrilled to welcome Holland to the Highlands. 

“With its recent return to the Olympics, Rugby 7s is now one of the fastest growing sports in the world,” he said. 

More than 70 teams from NSW and the ACT will play across four fields at Eridge Park with the first game kicking off at 8am.

Development teams from NSW Waratahs and  ACT Brumbies will also play in the tournament. 

The tournament has also attracted many female teams, with a record number of women registered to play. 

“The Australian women’s team gold medal at Rio has inspired girls and women across the country to take up rugby 7s,” Freund said. 

“This is being seen at the Southern Highlands 7s where womens and girls entries have almost doubled to 26 teams.”

Freund said the tournament had a number of young players set to show off their skills at the event. 

“This is one of the few tournaments catering for youth teams, both boys and girls,” he said. 

“Bowral Blacks continue to invest in our youth which we know is important for the long-term development of sport in the region.”

There will be a range of competitions in the tournament which include mens and womens open teams, men’s colt, boys and girls under-18s, under-16s and under-14s.

Teams will compete for more than $8000 in prize money and a number of prestigious awards.

The best and fairest colts (under-20s) player will be presented with the Thomas Kelly Cup which was created in honour of the former Highlander. Food and beverage outlets will be available for spectators and supporters to purchase refreshments, as well as Southern Highlands 7s merchandise.