Great Britain men's sevens team failed to qualify for the 2024 Olympics The Great Britain men and women's full-time sevens programme will be scrapped at the end of July. There will be no more permanent contracts, with players instead coming together to train and play on the World SVNS Series. The unions say the decision has been driven by financial pressures and a bid to improve the crossover with the 15-a-side game. The restructuring comes just days afterIrish rugby ended its men's sevens programme. "The financial structure of the World Series over the past few years has become increasingly challenging and placed strain on the GB7s approach, which we must remodel," Scottish Rugby performance director David Nucifora said. "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," added RFU performance director Conor O'Shea. As it stands, England has 27 contracted players across the men and women's game, Wales six and Scotland three, although not all are full-time. The GB sevens teams have competed at three Olympics since the sport was added to the Games in 2016, with the men winning silver in Rio 2016 but failing to qualify for Paris 2024. The women have yet to win a medal,finishing fourth at Rio and Tokyo. "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," added O'Shea. "This is something we are continuing to talk to World Rugby about." The RFU has also cited the loss of the London leg of the World Series as another reason for the financial shortfall. In the past decade or so, the men's 7s and 15s forms of the game have been kept separate, with very few players in the UK and Ireland switching between the two. However in the 1990s and 2000s a host of senior England 15-a-side internationals played sevens at the start of their careers, with Ugo Monye and Danny Care telling the Rugby Union Weekly podcast this week it helped them develop as players in the longer form of the game. But there are concerns a part-time programme will mean GB will struggle to compete on the world stage. "We believe the camp-based approach we are taking will provide the best development opportunities for players from the men's and women's game given current financial constraints and the congested schedule," added Welsh Rugby Union interim performance director Huw Bevan. "We will continue to work with the other unions and World Rugby to explore the on-going role sevens plays within our development pathway."
GB sevens programme to be scrapped in July
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Great Britain Rugby Sevens Programme to End in July Amid Financial Challenges"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
The Great Britain men's and women's full-time sevens rugby programmes will be discontinued at the end of July, following the men's team's failure to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The decision, announced by the respective rugby unions, is attributed to financial pressures and a strategic shift aimed at enhancing the integration of sevens and 15-a-side rugby. Players will no longer have permanent contracts and will instead train and compete collectively in the World Sevens Series. This restructuring follows a similar move by Irish rugby, which recently ended its men's sevens programme. Scottish Rugby's performance director, David Nucifora, acknowledged the growing financial challenges associated with the World Series and the need for a remodel of the GB sevens approach. RFU performance director Conor O'Shea also highlighted the diminishing crossover opportunities between sevens and 15s, prompting a reevaluation of how the sevens format can be effectively managed from both a player development and financial standpoint.
As it stands, England boasts 27 contracted players across both men's and women's teams, while Wales and Scotland have six and three, respectively, although not all are full-time. The GB sevens teams have participated in three Olympic Games since rugby sevens was introduced in 2016, achieving a silver medal for the men in Rio 2016 while the women have yet to medal, finishing fourth in both Rio and Tokyo. O'Shea pointed out that the GB sevens programme does not receive central Olympic funding, which has hindered its competitiveness compared to other unions. The recent loss of the London leg of the World Series has further exacerbated financial difficulties. While there are concerns that transitioning to a part-time programme could undermine GB's competitiveness on the global stage, Welsh Rugby Union's interim performance director Huw Bevan expressed optimism that a camp-based approach would still provide valuable development opportunities for players amidst the current financial constraints and busy schedule. The unions remain committed to collaborating with World Rugby to assess the ongoing role of sevens in the broader development pathway for rugby.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The decision to dismantle the Great Britain men's and women's full-time sevens rugby program at the end of July raises significant implications for the sport and its stakeholders. This development follows a series of financial challenges and the inability of the men's team to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics, leading to a restructuring aimed at improving the financial and developmental aspects of rugby sevens.
Financial Pressures and Strategic Decisions
The article indicates that financial pressures have been a driving force behind the decision to scrap the GB sevens program. The statement from Scottish Rugby's performance director highlights the challenging financial structure of the World Series, suggesting that it has become unsustainable. This financial strain is compounded by the loss of the London leg of the World Series, which has contributed to the overall shortfall. Interestingly, the discussion around the financial model suggests that the unions are seeking to realign their strategies to create a more effective and sustainable approach for the future.
Impact on Player Development
The restructuring signals a shift in focus towards player development and the integration of sevens with the traditional 15-a-side game. Although this may enhance opportunities for players, it raises concerns about the long-term viability of sevens as a standalone format. The decision to eliminate permanent contracts could demotivate players and reduce the competitiveness of the GB teams in international events.
Broader Context and Implications
In the broader context of rugby, this news comes shortly after Ireland's decision to end its men's sevens program, indicating a potential trend in the sport. The shift might reflect a reevaluation of how rugby unions allocate resources and prioritize different formats of the game. The mention of Olympic funding disparities also suggests that GB teams may struggle to compete effectively without adequate financial backing, unlike other nations.
Public Perception and Community Response
This news may evoke a mixed response from the rugby community and the general public. Supporters of sevens may feel disappointed by the dismantling of a program that has seen varying degrees of success since its inception in the Olympics. Conversely, there may be a segment of the community that views this as a necessary step to ensure the long-term sustainability of rugby in the UK.
Global Market and Economic Impact
The implications of this decision could extend beyond the sport itself, potentially affecting related industries such as sports marketing, merchandise sales, and event hosting. The loss of a high-profile program may lead to decreased interest and investment in rugby sevens, particularly in the UK. Investors and stakeholders in rugby-related businesses may need to reassess their strategies in light of these developments.
The article's reliability seems bolstered by the inclusion of direct quotes from key figures in rugby, providing an authentic perspective on the situation. However, the narrative could potentially downplay the emotional impact on athletes and fans, focusing instead on financial and structural concerns.
In conclusion, the dismantling of the GB sevens program appears to be a strategic response to financial realities and a desire to realign rugby's competitive landscape. The long-term effects on player development, community support, and the sport's overall presence remain to be seen.