Great Britain Rugby Sevens (GB7s) Performance Director Joe Lydon has issued a strongly worded statement condemning the proposed structural and financial changes to the sevens programme, warning they could have a devastating impact on the sport’s future.
Lydon, who has overseen the men’s and women’s GB7s squads, said the top priority since taking up his role was to support the athletes and develop performance, emphasizing that the players and staff are the ones making the biggest sacrifices in the game.
“These are not highly paid individuals. These athletes are the ones who put their bodies on the line to represent Great Britain,” he said.
Lydon criticised rugby authorities for repeating past mistakes, arguing that the sport was failing to see the opportunities at its feet and neglecting the chance to replicate successful models seen in other global sports.
“Most alarmingly of all, we are failing to safeguard the future, well-being, and safety of those who proudly wear the Great Britain jersey,” he warned.
Citing expert opinions and data, he said that reducing investment in player preparation and development would result in a higher frequency and severity of injuries, and urged the unions to address the growing concerns.
“We invite the Unions to address these concerns. The players deserve nothing less,” he added.
Lydon also revealed that GB7s had been in talks with Unions, World Rugby, and potential backers about alternative funding options that would have supported the programme until at least the Los Angeles Olympics.
“That opportunity has now been needlessly abandoned, and the impact will be devastating if not fatal to the GB7s programme,” Lydon stated.
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Under the new proposed ‘camp and competition model’, Lydon believes the GB7s squads will be left struggling to keep up with full-time professional teams and risk losing their competitive edge on the world stage.
“The two squads will quickly lose their standing in the top tier of the World Series and will find it increasingly difficult in attempts to qualify for the future Olympic Games,” he said.
He described the current moment as a crucial one for sevens, warning that scaling back the programme could crush the dreams of thousands of young players in the UK.
“Without a pinnacle of the sport, their hopes, dreams, and ambitions could, like the GB7s programme, lie broken and in tatters,” he stated.
Lydon concluded by calling for renewed commitment to sevens rugby rather than withdrawal.
“Now is not the time to downscale support of Sevens rugby, it is the time to invest in it.”
