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Telegraph
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
International sevens future in doubt as GB scrap full-time team programme
The future of international sevens has been plunged into doubt after it was confirmed that the Great Britain men's and women's full-time teams programme will be scrapped in July. Both the men's and women's teams will continue to compete but with the players being selected from 'camp and competition model' with non-contracted players coming together to train and play series. The news comes just a week after the Irish Rugby Football Union confirmed it was axing its men's sevens team less than a year after it was in strong contention for a medal at the Olympic Games in Paris. The Great Britain sides were formed to compete for the Rio Games in 2016 when sevens made its Olympic bow, and the men's side won the silver medal, but failed to qualify for Paris 2024. The women's side have yet to win a medal, finishing fourth at Rio and Tokyo and losing in the quarter-finals in Paris. Olympic recognition was seen as key to attracting new financial support for rugby, particularly in countries where the sport was not traditionally played. The sevens programmes were also seen to play important roles in player skill development for the 15-a-side game. The increasingly tough financial outlook however appears to be leading to the slow death of the sevens game as a professional sport. World Rugby has been suffering heavy losses funding the World SVNS Series and the decision to no longer use London as a host city last year had a detrimental impact on funding for the Great Britain team. The Rugby Football Union axed England's men's and women's sides as part of cuts in 2020. There are currently 27 full-time players across the men's and women's games in England, six in Wales and three in Scotland. 'With an increasingly congested sevens calendar and crossover opportunities with the 15s game reducing, we are taking time to review how best the format can work both from a player development and financial perspective,' said Conor O'Shea, the RFU's performance director. 'The intended new format will look at ways where crossover can happen more effectively in the men's and women's games while reducing some of the rising costs associated with competing on a global circuit. 'GB7s does not receive central Olympic funding, unlike many other unions it is competing with, and we believe the model the series is run under could be more financially effective for individual unions. This is something we are continuing to talk to World Rugby about. 'We understand the way in which player and coach contracts will change will be disappointing to many involved, and we will work closely with the Rugby Players Association to ensure that each of our players continues to be well supported and understands all the options available to them.'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ireland men's sevens team to be cut in savings drive
The Ireland men's sevens team is to be cut at the end of the 2024-25 season. The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) says the move is "part of a broader strategic effort to ensure long-term financial sustainability". The women's programme, however, is unaffected and will remain a "key development pathway" for the women's XVs game, the union added. In November, the IRFU's financial results showed an 18m euro (£15.1m) deficit for the 2023-24 season. The IRFU also said its assessment concluded that the men's sevens programme "does not contribute as a development pathway for the XVs game", adding that the provincial academy structures are offering "greater development opportunities". "The financial situation we face is challenging, and it's crucial that we take decisive action to secure the long-term success of Irish Rugby," said IRFU high performance director David Humphreys. "While the decision to end the men's sevens programme is a difficult one, it is necessary in order to ensure that our resources are focused on the areas that will have the greatest impact on the future of the game in Ireland. "We are committed to making sure that this transition is handled with the utmost respect for all those who have contributed to the success of the sevens programme." The men's sevens side played their last tournament in Los Angles earlier this month, finishing 11th and suffering relegation in the World SVNS Series. They reached two Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021 and in Paris last summer, finishing 10th in Japan and sixth in France. Ulster trio Nick Timoney, Robert Baloucoune and Zac Ward all played for Ireland's sevens side as did established Ireland 15s international Tadgh Beirne. Ward, alongside Leinster and Ireland 15s international Hugo Keenan, featured in the sevens Olympics squad in Paris. IRFU CEO Kevin Potts said that he was "very proud" of everything the sevens side has achieved. "We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the success of the men's sevens programme, especially in achieving qualification for the Tokyo and Paris Olympic games. "Their unwavering dedication, hard work and skill played a vital role in elevating the profile of sevens rugby in Ireland."
Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
final whistle for men's sevens as IRFU tackles budget woes
The Irish Men's Sevens team will be disbanded at the end of the 2024/25 season as part of a significant shift in strategic priorities, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said on Wednesday. The announcement comes in the wake of the IRFU's financial results released last November, which revealed an 18 million euro ($20.13 million) deficit for the 2023/24 season. IRFU's internal review also concluded that the men's sevens programme does not serve as a meaningful development pathway for the 15-a-side game. "While the decision to end the men's sevens programme is a difficult one, it is necessary in order to ensure that our resources are focused on the areas that will have the greatest impact on the future of the game in Ireland," IRFU high performance director David Humphreys said in a statement. The IRFU also confirmed that the women's sevens programme will continue to operate as a progression route for the women's 15s. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Irish Independent
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Paul O'Connell and Beibhinn Parsons meet young Co Wicklow students
Students from Gaelscoil Chill Mhantáin in Merrymeeting, Rathnew, joined over 300 boys and girls from 17 primary schools for the annual Aldi Play Rugby National Festival at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Wednesday, April 30. Irish rugby stars and Aldi Play Rugby ambassadors, Paul O'Connell, Linda Djougang and Beibhinn Parsons were among the legends on hand to inspire, challenge and cheer on the students as they took to the hallowed turf and stepped into the boots of their rugby heroes. The non-contact primary schools rugby programme was developed by the Irish Rugby Football Union and supported by Aldi. It offers primary school students a safe and fun introduction to rugby and aims to encourage children to get active, participate in regular exercise and eat healthily. Former Ireland captain Paul O'Connell commented: 'It was a joy to share the pitch with the future stars of tomorrow and experience their energy and enthusiasm for the sport. 'Programmes like Aldi Play Rugby are vital in building the future of Irish rugby and it's fantastic to see Aldi continuing to invest in the sport at grassroots level. Bring on next year!'
Irish Independent
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
‘I'm devastated' – Ireland's Dorothy Wall ruled out of Women's World Cup
The 24-year-old sustained the issue on Saturday during her country's 26-19 Guinness Women's Six Nations defeat to Scotland in Edinburgh. She was set to undergo surgery on Wednesday in Dublin and - according to the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) - will be sidelined for a "number of months". "The recovery and rehabilitation process will rule the 24-year-old out of Ireland's pre-season and Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 campaign later this year," read an IRFU statement. Ireland face Japan, Spain and New Zealand in Pool C of the World Cup, which is being staged in England between August 22 and September 27. Scott Bemand's side were already without back-rower Erin King for the tournament after she suffered a serious knee problem earlier this month. Wall said: "I'm devastated to be missing the next couple of months, but my main focus now is on my rehab programme and I'm looking forward to supporting the team in the Rugby World Cup."
