CNCF 7s is back for its fifth appearance at the Dubai Sevens, ready to make an impact on and off the field.

For this unique team, the Dubai Rugby Sevens is an opportunity to raise awareness for the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation (CNCF) and its mission to support vulnerable children in Vietnam and Mongolia.

Founded by brothers Matthew and James Barrell in 2019, CNCF 7s was created as a way to combine their passion for rugby with a cause that’s close to their hearts. CNCF provides essential support to children facing poverty, abuse, and exploitation, giving them access to health care, education, and a safe environment to grow.

As M. Barrell puts it, “We believe every child deserves a safe, happy life. Rugby helps us spread that message and raise money for a cause we truly believe in.”

CNCF’s history with rugby goes back more than two decades. The foundation originally fielded a Legends team, featuring well-known players like Apollo Perelini, who made regular appearances at international tournaments. These players became ambassadors for the foundation’s mission, using their status in the rugby community to bring attention to CNCF’s work.

However, Matthew and his brother wanted to go beyond the Legends team. They saw an opportunity to create a grassroots rugby program that would allow more players to get involved, keeping CNCF’s mission alive on the pitch and growing its presence in new tournaments. The result was CNCF 7s, a team now made up of both men’s and women’s squads that compete across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East. Since launching in 2019, CNCF 7s has steadily built its reputation as both a competitive team and a strong advocate for children’s welfare.

‘The event of the year’

The Dubai Sevens holds a special place in CNCF 7s’ heart. Matthew and James grew up in Dubai, making the annual tournament a fixture in their lives from a young age.

“Dubai Sevens is special to us,” Matthew shared.

“It’s the event of the year, and we love being able to share that experience with players from around the world who care about the same cause.”

For CNCF 7s, the Dubai Sevens offers a unique chance to connect with international fans and other teams who are there for more than just the sport.

“The tournament is a celebration, but it’s also a great place to talk about CNCF and raise awareness for the foundation’s work,” he said.

This year, CNCF 7s faces strong competition in Pool D, where they’ll play against teams like Canada’s Irregulars 7s, JC Old Boys, and Monaco Imps.

‘Tell our story’

One thing that always turns heads at the Dubai Sevens is the CNCF 7s kit. Designed with bold lilac and navy colors and patterns inspired by Vietnamese artwork, the uniform isn’t just for show. It represents CNCF’s work in Southeast Asia and reminds fans of the foundation’s mission.

“We wanted our kit to stand out and tell our story,” Barrell explained.

“We get a lot of questions about it, and that’s exactly what we want—it gives us a chance to talk about CNCF and the amazing work they do.”

The distinctive design is inspired by the traditional Vietnamese motifs seen in CNCF’s headquarters in Vietnam, giving players and supporters a visual connection to the cause.

“Sevens rugby is all about being bold, so we thought, why not make our kit bold too?” said Barrell .

“It helps people recognize us and understand that we’re playing for something bigger than the game itself.”

Like many grassroots teams, CNCF 7s faces significant financial challenges. From tournament entry fees to travel and accommodation, the cost of fielding a team at international events like the Dubai Sevens adds up quickly. This challenge has only grown since the pandemic, as many teams have faced difficulty securing sponsorships and funding.

To play for CNCF 7s, team members commit to raising funds for the foundation. This means every player who takes the field has already put in hours of work off the pitch to support CNCF’s mission. For many players, this has become a personal challenge, leading to creative fundraising efforts.

“This year, some of our women’s team members have ran two marathons back-to-back or cycled 100 kilometers,” Barrell recalled.

“They raised over £3,000. It’s inspiring to see the commitment from everyone involved.”

‘A huge moment for us’

Looking back, Barrell points to the Dubai Sevens in 2022 as a highlight for CNCF 7s. The team clinched the bowl, their first significant piece of silverware, which marked a milestone in their journey.

“Winning the bowl was a huge moment for us. It gave us some well-deserved recognition and showed that we’re not just here to play but to compete” he said.

“On top of that, we raised over £5,000 for CNCF, which felt amazing.”

With each tournament, the team continues to grow. When CNCF 7s started, they barely had enough players to form a single squad. This year, they received interest from 48 players who wanted to join, a significant jump that reflects the team’s growing popularity.

“Every year, we grow, and it’s amazing to see what we can accomplish. Someday, we’d love to bring back a Legends team and even field multiple men’s teams,” Matthew said.

As CNCF 7s prepares for the Dubai Sevens, they’re not just aiming for wins on the field. They’re working toward something far more significant: raising awareness and funds for a foundation dedicated to giving children a better future.

For Barrell, it’s a privilege to be part of a team that combines rugby with a meaningful cause.

“Playing rugby is great, but playing for CNCF makes it even better. We’re here to win games and do something meaningful, it’s the best of both worlds.”