19/10/2009

Grahame calls for Scotland to be represented in Rugby Sevens 2016 games

SNP MSP Christine Grahame who chairs the Parliament’s Health committee has welcomed the news that Rugby Sevens has been accepted into the 2016 Olympic Games but called for assurances that this would not mean the end to a Scottish Sevens team competing in the world’s top tournament.

Rugby Sevens was created in the Scottish Borders and the most famous Sevens game is still played at Melrose every year.

The IRB have suggested that when Rugby Sevens is admitted to the Olympics the Seven’s World Cup would be brought to an end, resulting in Scotland being barred from the world’s premier Rugby Sevens tournament. Ms Grahame said:

“Recognition for Rugby Sevens at the Olympics is a great step but it must not lead to an end to the World Cup.

“If the Rugby Sevens World Cup is scrapped then the Scotland, the country that invented the game and gave the game to the world, would find itself no longer able to enter into the sports showpiece event. For Borderers that will seem particularly galling given the game was born here.

“We have seen with football that the IOC will not allow Scotland to compete as a country in her own right, despite our position in Football as in Rugby as a separate and internationally recognised sporting nation.

“If the IRB scrap the World Cup there will be no opportunity left for Scotland’s Sevens team to show their ability to the world in the sports number one event.
“Scotland must be allowed to compete at Rugby Sevens top tournament as to block our participation would be a tragedy for Scottish Rugby and a bizarre fate to befall the country that invented the game.”

1. From the IRB site:
“Rugby, that last featured in the 1924 Olympics in its 15-a-side form, has proposed a four-day tournament that would take place at the athletics stadium before the start of that part of the Games. And should Sevens win the required majority the competition will replace the Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament as the showpiece event in the international calendar that also includes the IRB World Sevens Series.”

SNP It’s time.....