The Moscow Luzhniki Olympic Complex hosted the Rugby World Cup Sevens on 28–30 June 2013. Bank ZENIT was a general sponsor of this sporting event.

The New Zealand team won the men’s and women’s contests. The successes of Russia’s team are modest so far: Russia’s national women’s team shared 7-8 places with the Irish and secured its place in the World Series. The Russian men’s team defeated the Japanese, took 17th place and received a consolation prize – a so called bowl.

There is no doubt that the Russian rugby has future which lies in the domain of children’s sport. The children’s festival – World Cup Sevens Meets Future Stars of the Oval Ball – took place at the Luzhniki Stadium together with the main sporting event. It was organised by the National Charitable Foundation for the Development of Children’s Rugby under support of Bank ZENIT.

24 junior teams from across Russia and the CIS participated in the sporting event. Its final matches were played at the Big Arena of the Luzhniki Olympic Complex. The Yenisey-STM junior team from Krasnoyarsk won the contest.

“This is children’s rugby that lays the foundation for the future of Russian rugby,” commented Kirill Shpigun, Chairman of the Management Board of Bank ZENIT. “Rugby is a special sport. It develops team spirit and manly qualities. Also, it is necessary to take account of social factors – rugby helps take kids off the street. All these factors, taken together, were behind our decision to support children’s rugby.”