Melrose Sevens postponement announced as club take coronavirus caution

Melrose Sevens has been postponed. Picture: Melrose Rugby

Melrose Rugby have confirmed that their popular sevens tournament won’t go ahead as planned.

The club have opted to postpone the event which was scheduled for 9-12 April due to the concerns around coronavirus and the UK and Scottish Government guidance about events and mass gatherings.

Melrose Sevens was due to be an expanded festival of rugby, but the club will now discuss with teams, partners and sponsors about the next steps in hosting the event at a later date rather than simply cancelling it.

A Melrose Rugby Ltd spokesperson said: “The evolving situation obliges us as a responsible organisation to take all reasonable measures to protect people’s health. That goes for the local community and for everyone that would be traveling to Melrose for the rugby and entertainment events.

“Over the past few weeks we have been in close contact with participating teams who are understandably nervous about booking travel and accommodation at the moment. The Melrose Sevens has always attracted a diverse audience of all ages from across the UK and abroad. Given the increased threat of COVID-19 to older people in particular, we are not willing to take any chances.

“We understand this will be a bitter disappointment for everyone involved. All the hard working volunteers here at the club who have been preparing so hard for this year’s expanded Melrose Sevens festival are saddened and frustrated to be postponing, but public health must always come first.

“Melrose Rugby Ltd will now engage with all the teams and sponsors involved, and work with all parties to agree a date later this year that works for everyone. We would like to thank the Scottish Borders Council and Scottish Rugby for their tremendous support in this unprecedented situation. To be clear, we’re not contemplating cancelling the event at this time; just postponing to another date.”

The club have noted the financial hit they are expected to take but are adamant they will “get through this”.

“Postponing the Melrose Sevens will hurt the club financially as there are irretrievable and uninsurable costs,” they said.

“However we will get through this. This is a fast moving situation and we cannot plan with absolute certainty at the moment, so we would ask everyone who has purchased a ticket to be patient while we make alternative arrangements. We can confirm all tickets purchased will be valid for a rearranged date and we will communicate those details as soon as we are in a position to do so.”