England Scrap Their Sevens Programme In Huge Cost-Cutting Measure
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Scrapped.
England have scrapped their international sevens programme in a huge move to cut costs, according to a report in the Telegraph.
The report states that the England men’s and women’s squads were informed by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) this week that once their contracts are up at the end of this month, they will not be offered new deals.
The news comes as the RFU is projected to lose in excess of £107 million in revenue as a result of the ongoing crisis that has had a devastating impact on the sporting world.
Players are said to be “devastated” by the funding cut – just a year out from the Olympics. The move will likely severely damage Team GB’s chances next year having won a silver medal back in 2016.
Some of the players were reportedly very upset that they received just a one-line severance letter from the RFU after the initial virtual meeting where they learnt of their fate.
“The more I think about it, the more frustrated I get,” England sevens all-time top try-scorer Dan Norton told the Telegraph.
“I have been fortunate enough to give 10 years and I do know that professional sport is pretty ruthless, we gave our all but the way things have been done now, to take being so close to an Olympics and being sacked, it is pretty bittersweet to have to swallow.