RFU backs Sevens Team GB
With the International Olympic Committee decision on the inclusion of Rugby Sevens in the 2016 Olympic Games due soon, the Rugby Football Union has become the latest to support the idea of mens and womens Great Britain rugby teams, if the International Rugby Boards campaign is successful.
On Friday 9 October in the Danish capital Copenhagen, the IOC will decide whether Rugby Sevens will join the 2016 Games programme, just under two months since the IOC Executive Board recommended Rugby Sevens and Golf for inclusion, from the seven sports in contention.
The IRB Sevens World Series continues to grow year on year, having celebrated its 10th anniversary last season by crowning a new champion in South Africa. In all, 10 sides reached the Cup semi final stage, including Samoa, Argentina and for the first time Kenya and USA. The Series now visits eight countries, attracting hundreds of players and tens of thousands of fans with Hong Kong a three-day, 120,000 sell-out, plus a record 62,000 watching the London Sevens at Twickenham and the Wellington leg for 2010 already sold out.
Great Britain united
Rob Andrew, RFU Elite Rugby Director said: (quote) Sevens would be an invaluable addition to the Olympic Games. As proved in the Commonwealth Games, the IRB Sevens World Series and through its own Rugby World Cup, it is a thrilling spectacle that captivates the fans. The thought of joining with the other Home Unions to make a team GB is very exciting and, on behalf of the RFU and the Elite Rugby department, I wholeheartedly support the bid to include Sevens rugby for men and women at the 2016 Olympic Games. (end quote)
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