SM
Watford vs. Oxford Utd: 3 hrs 3 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Tokyo 2020: Dan Bibby slams lack of sevens funding

:Headline: Tokyo 2020: Dan Bibby slams lack of sevens funding:
An uncertain future awaits for rugby sevens in Britain after the men's Olympic Games campaign in Tokyo ended in defeat in the bronze medal match.
Sports Mole

Dan Bibby hit out over a lack of funding after Great Britain's men were beaten 17-12 by Argentina in the rugby sevens bronze medal match at the Tokyo Olympics.

Prospects for the men's and women's squads looked bleak last year amid significant cuts made to British sevens programmes.

Funding was then obtained ahead of the Olympics via a commercial partnership struck between the Rugby Football Union, Scottish Rugby Union, Welsh Rugby Union and The National Lottery promotional fund.

It enabled Britain to field squads at the Games, but Bibby and a number of his fellow squad members now face an uncertain future in the sport, despite defying odds to be a competitive force in Tokyo.

"We tried to showcase ourselves as much as we could and show how exciting sevens is," said Bibby, who took over from injured captain Tom Mitchell for Britain's last two games.

"Unless the unions pull their fingers out, it is not going to be exciting much longer. Off little funding, we can do that. Imagine what can do with proper funding.

"If you look at who has done well in this tournament – New Zealand, Argentina and Fiji have had full programmes the entire time. You cannot compete on this level unless it is properly funded.

“You cannot compete at this level unless it is properly funded”
- Great Britain player Dan Bibby

"I can only do what I can on the pitch. Everything else is up to the unions."

Looking post-Tokyo, Bibby added: "Being brutally honest, it's a joke. We have been offered eight contracts. Eight contracts is ridiculous.

"You are asking us to play against a team like New Zealand with eight boys on not much more than minimum wage. It's impossible.

"If they are not going to fund it, be grown-up about it, come out and say it. But not all this wishy-washy absolute nonsense. That is my view on it."

Britain won the silver medal in Rio five years ago, and hopes were high of a repeat podium performance following a memorable quarter-final victory over the United States.

But they lost 29-7 to semi-final opponents New Zealand, before Argentina scored late through Ignacio Mendy to take bronze.

Ben Harris, who scored the opening try against Argentina, said: "This tournament has been a bit of a roller coaster.

"This group has been through so much since we all came together in March, and the memories we have made together make this journey all worthwhile."

Fiji, coached by Welshman Gareth Baber, successfully defended the Olympic title, beating New Zealand 27-12 in the final.

body check tags ::

amp_article__457185 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-07-28 12:40:52:
html db last update - 2021-07-28 12:40:52 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Dan Bibby

Click here for more stories about Great Britain

Share this article now:
JL
Read Next:
Tokyo 2020: Jack Laugher remains philosophical after disappointment
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Dan Bibby Rugby Union
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Tokyo 2020: Jack Laugher remains philosophical after disappointment
"Of course" - Van Nistelrooy makes huge managerial claim ahead of Amorim move

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Can Chelsea learn from Arsenal mistakes? Ex-scout suggests next phase for Estevao

1

CC

Amorim receives major injury boost ahead of Man United arrival

2

AR

Man Utd vs. Leicester: Head-to-head record and past meetings

NEW

3

MU

Preview: Nott'm Forest vs. Newcastle - prediction, team news, lineups

4

PN

Preview: Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona - prediction, team news, lineups

5

PR

Preview: Man Utd vs. Leicester - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PM

Will Chelsea or Arsenal win five-goal spectacular? Premier League GW11 predictions

7

WC

Preview: Mallorca vs. Atletico - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PM

Preview: Leganes vs. Sevilla - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PL

Preview: Spurs vs. Ipswich - prediction, team news, lineups

10

PS


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .