"Greatest Tragedy of All" - GB Sevens director responds to full-time contracts being scrapped

“From the outset of working with the GB7s squads, our priority has been to support our people and develop performance,” Lydon said. “The players and staff are the ones who make the biggest sacrifices. These are not highly paid individuals. These athletes are the ones who put their bodies on the line to represent Great Britain.”

Lydon made it clear, that he is frustrated with the direction that rugby’s decision-makers have taken, expressing concern that the sport is repeating old mistakes. “Having now reflected upon the proposed changes, one thing is clear: rugby is once again failing to learn the lessons of its past, to see the opportunities within its grasp, and to seize the chance to mirror the successes of other sports around the world.”

His strongest warning centred on the duty of care owed to players, which is a responsibility he believes is now being neglected due to the reduced training hours. “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 said.

“Experts and statistics are informing us that not providing the appropriate levels of preparation and player development will result in an increase in the frequency and severity of injuries across both squads.”

Lydon called for immediate attention from the sport’s governing bodies, after union heads from England, Scotland and Wales agreed to de-fund the programme back in May. “We invite the Unions to address these concerns,” he urged. “The players deserve nothing less.”

While acknowledging the financial challenges that exist across the global game of sevens, Lydon was clear that an alternative path had been available and was still possible. “While we understand and appreciate that there are competing priorities and financial challenges being faced across the world game, the Unions had another option. They still do.”

He revealed that conversations had taken place with key stakeholders that would have secured the future of the GB7s programme through to the next Olympics, however, the road to LA has now gotten all the more difficult as Great Britain will be fielding a semi-professional side. “We have been in discussions with the Unions, World Rugby and potential investors, and we were prepared to demonstrate our ability to fully fund the GB7s programmes until at least the Los Angeles Olympics.”

That option, he said, had been abandoned, and the fallout could be severe upon not Team GB's status within the world standings. “As it stands, that opportunity has now been needlessly abandoned, and the impact will be devastating if not fatal to the GB7s programme.”

With other nations continuing to run fully professional sevens programmes, Lydon fears the GB squads will struggle to remain competitive. “Under the new proposals, GB7s will struggle to compete against those with full-time programmes,” he said. “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 also questioned the timing of the decision, particularly with momentum from last year’s Olympic success still fresh in public memory. “To risk not having the opportunity to compete or hold a seat at the top table and at a time when the sport should be building on the huge successes of Sevens rugby at last year's Paris Olympic Games, is the greatest tragedy of all.”

For Lydon, the consequences go beyond elite performance. The decision risks eroding the pathway and purpose for aspiring young players across the UK. “Thousands of young people will continue to compete in youth, university, and open tournaments across the UK, but without a pinnacle of the sport, their hopes, dreams, and ambitions could, like the GB7s programme, lie broken and in tatters.”

His closing statement was both a warning and a call to action. “Now is not the time to downscale support of Sevens rugby, it is the time to invest in it.”