GB Sevens Teams Aim for Olympic Glory
The future of sevens rugby looked bleak a decade ago, but the sport has undergone a remarkable resurgence, with the GB men’s and women’s teams set to represent the home nations on the biggest stage. This weekend, England, Scotland, and Wales will unite as Great Britain, vying for the last remaining spot in the Olympic Games sevens tournament in Paris.
The GB women’s team has already secured their place, alongside Ireland’s representatives, but the GB men face a tough challenge in the repechage event in Monaco, with South Africa’s Blitzboks, Tonga, Canada, and others standing in their way.
“For someone like me, who hails from Selkirk in the Borders and grew up with sevens from an early age, it’s huge that we still have representation on the world stage,” says Ciaran Beattie, the head of the GB Sevens program and a former Scotland sevens player.
The decision to come together as Great Britain was not without controversy, but Beattie believes the move has galvanized the players and staff. “There’s no quotas, no political decisions on including players from each nation,” he explains. “Everyone here has earned their jerseys. And now it’s about getting the men over that final hurdle and into the biggest show on earth.”
Rugby’s inclusion in the Olympics has been a game-changer for the sport, with the sevens format proving popular worldwide. As Beattie notes, “The world series tournaments are definitely eye-openers and routes into the sport for many people around the world. They bring something different to 15s as over eight weekends, and lots of ties through three days, they let players engage with the fans up close and personal, and that helps to sell rugby.”
With the GB teams set to compete in Paris, rugby will take center stage in the opening days of the Games. “Rugby will be big in this Olympics, from the moment it opens the Games in the Stade de France, and it’s huge for rugby that GB is there,” Beattie adds. “We’re there with the women, and you will see some real current and future stars from each of the three countries in that team, and, while it’s hugely competitive, I’m positive that if the men get there, they will also be medal contenders.”
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