All rugby enthusiasts will know about Rugby Sevens! A fast game that comes under the auspices of the International Rugby Board (IRB), rugby sevens is a popular form of rugby and played at all levels. A sevens team consists of three forwards, one scrum half and three backs and plays a short, energetic game to slightly different rules. It was begun in Melrose, Scotland in 1883 by a group of butchers as a fundraiser for their rugby club and since the 1970’s has taken off in the rugby world.
Is that relevant to the CGD Research Trust, you might ask? Yes, it is! The Templars Sevens team has lined up to champion our cause. The first occasion that they will be trying for the charity is at the Invitationals Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens, one of the three most prestigious events in the internationals calendar, along with the Wellington and the Hong Kong Sevens.
Team organiser and player Robert Cain knew Andrew Numan, son of the charity's first chairman and he wants to raise awareness of chronic granulomatous disorder in Andy’s memory. He asked his fellow Templars if they would associate with this cause and was overwhelmed with their enthusiastic response. They looked up our website and saw how much support and research the charity funds, getting to grips with the problems facing affected families and taking on board the charity’s aims to improve the outlook for them.
‘There is a great tradition of charitable support among rugby players – they are a great bunch’, said Rob. ‘I was delighted with the way the Templars want to help. We’ve talked it over and the team decision if we win is to give the charity the prize money. We’ve got lots of other ideas as well!’
The team is seven years old and has become one of the most respected and established sevens teams, due to team results, superb player base and ongoing public support. Organised this year by Rob and his brother Sam Cain, they have a long list of players they can call on. The team for Dubai comes from far and wide and includes, with coach, admin and physio: Rob Cain, Sam Cain, Norma Cain, Peter Cain, Liam Chennells, Guy Thompson, Sam Showering, Thomas Williams, Joshua Fowles, James Curgenven, Alistair Crombie, Ratu henry vafoo’u speight, Nathan Hohaia and Ian Wilson.
Described by another charity as ‘A really nice group of guys, caring individuals’, the Templars is just one of sixteen teams to be invited to complete Dubai’s invitational tournament, which runs in parallel to the IRB series from 3rd – 5th December. They will be playing in ‘The Sevens’, Dubai’s brand new purpose built rugby venue that expects over 100,000 rugby fans over the course of three days.
All of the team have home teams and supporters, from England Counties to Macclesfied Rugby, Somerset to Shropshire, West of England UK and Wales to Wellington, New Zealand, who will be ‘willing them on’.
We hope that they can repeat their terrific July victory at the International Bishops Cup, Switzerland and wish them ‘Good Luck’. Nobody will be rooting for them more than us all at the CGD Research Trust!
The Templars Sevens Tries for the CGD Research Trust - to see more, click on http://ur7s.com/teams/templars
IMPORTANT NOTE :
The information contained on this website is intended only as a guideline, not as a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor if you or your child has any CGD symptoms or concerns.
© 2001-2007 The Chronic Granulomatous Disorder (CGD) Research Trust
Registered Charity No. 1003425 email:cgd@cgdrt.co.uk
The CGD Research Trust is a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), the Genetic Interest Group (GiG) and an associate member of the International Patient Organisation of Primary Immunodeficiencies (IPOPI)
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