Rugby Australia statement on Australian Sevens program

Mon, Mar 23, 2020, 7:00 AM
Rugby Australia
by Rugby Australia
Tokyo Stadium. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley
Tokyo Stadium. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley

Following on from the announcement that the Australian Olympic Committee has advised its athletes to prepare for the Olympic Games to be held in the European summer of 2021 the Qantas Australian Men’s and Women’s Sevens teams will stand down and commence their four weeks annual leave from tomorrow.

Rugby Australia Chief Executive, Raelene Castle said: “Whilst this is disappointing for both of our Australian Sevens teams, Rugby Australia supports the announcement by the Australian Olympic Committee to provide clarity for athletes preparing for the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

“We have been in discussion with all players and staff from both programs and with the remainder of the current HSBC Sevens World Series season suspended until later in the year, we will move our players' annual leave forward to commence from tomorrow.

“As you would expect there are a number of disappointed athletes and staff across both programs, but this decision is in the best interests of the individual athletes and the wider community’s health.

"Rugby Australia will work with both teams to ensure they can be in the best possible position to live their Olympic dream in 2021."

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