Nearly 200 players will crowd Rugby Park, in Greymouth, on Monday in the biggest rugby sevens tournament seen on the West Coast, as a fundraiser for the Christchurch earthquake recovery.

League and rugby union teams from Christchurch, Reefton, Westport, Hokitika, South Westland, the Grey Valley and Greymouth have put aside their old rivalries to enter the tournament, and more than 40 volunteers have put their names forward to help set up and run the event.

Th ere is only one team space left after a Christchurch side pulled out.

Already, $10,000 has been raised through sponsorships and donations, and everything from marquee tents to trophies for the winners have been supplied by willing West Coast businesses.

Co-organisers and West Coast rugby fans Adam Gilshnan and John Olsen said the response from every person approached had been overwhelming. “Everyone we’ve spoken to has been brilliant,” Gilshnan said. “We’ve had no negative responses. “We realise it’s a tough time for sponsors but I think we’re all the same feeling like there’s not a lot we can do for the people over the hill. Everyone wants to show that we’re thinking about Christchurch people.”

Th e sevens tournament will take on a festival feel, with games to run concurrently on both Rugby Park fields, and half-time events and musicians playing regularly. A bouncy castle, sausage sizzle and other food, and a raffl e table will all be on hand. The Milton Road gate into Rugby Park will also be open and both gates will have a gold coin entry charge.

“We’re discouraging people from coming through Grey Main (School), but I don’t think many people would do that for something like this anyway,” Gilshnan said.

Among the various teams is one sure to be a crowd favourite, the Love Handles, made up completely of props from West Coast rugby teams and led by Blaketown’s Gordie Iafeta. “Their aim is to score off a length-of-the-field maul,” Gilshnan said.

Some of the match-ups include the Blaketown rugby side taking on West Coast league team Suburbs, and Old Boys from Christchurch taking on Old Boys from Westport.

Each team will have at least 45 minutes between games, and to add to the fun, those that make the final will be able to choose the song they run out to, to fire them up for the deciding match.

A player of the tournament will be named and spot prizes handed out throughout the day.

“We want spectators to come along and be seen and make some noise. There are some very worthy Christchurch charities that need the money.”

The first matches begin at 8.45am on Monday and the cup final will be played at 4.40pm.