Doddie Weir and Jill Douglas

Doddie Weir, Jill Douglas, Melrose girls and youngsters all helped with the promotional photo-shoot for the 125th Anniversary Melrose Sevens.

Teams from South Africa, Australia, Italy, England and Ireland are amongst the line-up already confirmed for the 125^th anniversary of the Melrose Sevens which takes place on 12th April 2008.

The Shimlas from the University of the Free State in South Africa will be back to defend their title against stiff opposition from a line-up that also features Leicester Tigers, Ulster, Roma from Italy and Australia’s Brisbane-based Gold Coast Breakers.

2008 marks the 125^th anniversary of the first ever rugby sevens tournament – a sport founded in Melrose when apprentice butcher Ned Haig suggested the competition as a means of raising funds for the club.  Sixteen hundred people turned out at that event but 125 years on, over 18,000 spectators are expected to attend the extended tournaments over a three day period to witness a sport that now has a huge international following. 

Tickets are now on sale for the event that for the first time features competitions for ladies, youths and veterans. The tournament organisers have also introduced an increased programme of social events including an entertainment marquee as well as a tented village featuring food drink and retail outlets.

The full line-up will comprise 24 teams including home grown talent from local Borders clubs and the organisers are hoping to continue the event’s reputation for showcasing spectacular displays of rugby in a tournament which has previously played host to rugby greats including Australian David Campese, South African full back Percy Montgomery, French legends Serge Blanco and Jean Baptiste Ellisalde, England’s Will Carling, Ireland’s Tony O’Reilly, as well as Scottish heroes Andy Irvine, John Jeffrey, Gavin Hastings,  Chris Patterson and Melrose RFC’s Keith Robertson.

Ian Cooper, Melrose Sevens Convener said; “This year’s event will be bigger and better than ever, combining fast paced rugby action with the carnival atmosphere that has come to be associated with the Melrose Sevens. We’re delighted to have reached this historic milestone in the event’s history and are extremely proud of a tournament that has developed into a sport that showcases rugby across the globe.  The event also brings important economic benefits to the Borders region and we’ve received much appreciated funding from Scottish Borders Council, Scottish Enterprise Borders and EventScotland to help make the event a huge success. We hope that the tournament will continue to play a valuable part in spreading the word about the sport of rugby union and the Scottish Borders for many years to come.

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