A Birmingham rugby team created out of the tragic death of a talented young player is rapidly gaining a reputation as a rising force on the 7s circuit.

Selly Oak RFC player, Ben Boyce, formed Boyce's Barbarians (also known as Boyce’s BaaBaas) to compete at the Aaron Boyce Memorial Greater Birmingham 7s, a tournament set up and run by Selly Oak RFC following the sudden death of Ben’s younger brother Aaron in 2005. All team members knew Aaron and wanted to keep his memory alive through playing the sport that he loved.

Following two seasons of reaching the Quarter Finals, Boyce’s BaaBaas have now become an officially affiliated 7s side and are focussing their efforts on a tournament win this season.
The Barbarians plan to continue their invasion by entering the Bath 7s at the end of June, hopefully as defending champions of the Aaron Boyce Memorial Tournament, being held on Saturday 17th May 2008 at Moseley RFC.

Ben, 23, explains:

“It has been almost three years now since my little brother, Aaron, died and I miss him every day. I think he would be really pleased with the success of both the team and the tournament named in his honour as he was such a massive rugby player and fan.

The tournament has grown to be the biggest 7s event in the region and all money we raise goes to Aaron’s favourite charities, the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and this year we have widened our base to include the Rugby Football Union affiliated charity, Wooden Spoon which supports disadvantaged kids. Please do all you can to support us.”