In a statement released yesterday (14 May 2015) The Board of Scottish Rugby unanimously confirmed that the national 7s team will continue to compete in the HSBC Sevens World Series.
The positive recent results by the team, heritage of the game in Scotland and incentive of contributing to a future Team GB Olympic 7s squad means Scottish Rugby will continue to support a national 7s team.
The current squad and management have been informed of this decision. Discussions will take place with the 7s team and management following the HSBC Sevens World Series tournament in London to plan the structure of the programme for next season.
Scottish Rugby not happy about loss of hosting leg of World Series:
Ahead of the Scotland leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series which was held in Glasgow last week Scottish Rugby expressed their unhappiness at potentially (now confirmed) losing out on hosting a leg of the World Series.
At the time it was speculated that Scotland’s sevens squad could go part-time if a decision to drop the country as a world series venue from next year was not reversed.
Scottish Rugby were still in talks with World Rugby, the series organiser.
SRU director Dominic McKay said: “We are in discussions with World Rugby, but we’ve got our work cut out.”
He admitted that a severe shake-up might be necessary if, as expected, the country that invented the Sevens game was to lose out on being 1 of the 9 venues to France from next year.
“We have invested significantly over the last 7 years in developing Sevens in Scotland and developing that tournament, which is regarded by the players as their favourite tournament in the whole series,” McKay said.
“Sevens is growing globally just now and we can see the success of it as a result of its inclusion in the Olympics in 2016 in Rio and again in 2020 over in Tokyo.
“There is significant investment going into Sevens just now and it’s beginning to take off, so for us to lose a leg at this time has very disappointing consequences for revenue streams around Sevens.”
“So we are really upset and we’re frustrated for our partners and particularly for our supporters, who, as you will see this weekend, are coming out in great numbers to support what is a fantastic global event,” said McKay.
“We will always have a Rugby Sevens side. What shape or form will be determined in due course, but our focus is to make sure that we’ve got the best possible opportunities for young players to develop their skills either at XVs or Sevens.”
World Rugby confirms Glasgow loses out to Paris:
Paris will join the stellar line-up of new global destinations for 2015 / 2016 World Rugby Sevens Series cycle.
One of the world’s most iconic cities, Paris joins Vancouver, Sydney, Cape Town and Singapore as new hosts on the 10-stop Series, reflecting the global prestige and attraction of Rugby Sevens ahead of its Olympic Games debut at Rio 2016.
The impressive 20 000 capacity Stade Jean Bouin will play host to the world’s top male players with the event dates due to be announced along with the full Series schedule shortly.
World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “With excitement increasing ahead of Rio 2016, the World Rugby Sevens Series is going from strength to strength, proving a hit with fans, broadcasters and sponsors around the globe with its winning blend of compelling and competitive action, global destinations and festival atmosphere.
“Paris is 1 of the world’s major tourism destinations and has sport at its heart and its inclusion within a superb line-up of iconic global locations is exciting for players and fans and underscores the strength of the Rugby Sevens brand in the global sporting marketplace.
“I have no doubt that the Paris Sevens will inspire new audiences and participants, underscore Paris’ credentials as a major event host and contribute to the continued strong growth of the game around the world.”
Paris’ last appearance on the Series was in 2006 and its return follows a highly competitive tender process with the successful Federation Française de Rugby and City of Paris bid focusing on furthering France’s commitment to Sevens, which will make its Olympic Games debut at Rio 2016.
Federation Française de Rugby President Pierre Camou said: “Hosting the best teams in the world is a fantastic opportunity to promote Rugby Sevens in France. Our objective is to make this tournament a Rugby Sevens flagship which will attract new fans for rugby. Over the next 4 seasons, the goal is for this tournament to become the not-to-be-missed event in French rugby.”